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Terre des hommes (Tdh) and its partner Enda Mali are committed to protecting migrant children in Mali by aiding the national authorities, civil society and community actors to integrate the key elements of mobility into their National Policy for the Protection of Children. This initiative aims not only at improving the safety of children on the move, from their departure up to their return home, but equally at fighting against the exploitation, trafficking and abuse to which they can become victims whilst far from home.
The mobility approach, a gain for the national policy document
On 16 July 2014, the authorities adopted the Mali National Policy for Child Promotion and Protection together with a five-year Action Plan for 2015 – 2019. This document proposes, amongst other things, concrete actions to protect children on the move. It also crystallizes the commitment of the government to try to strengthen the national child protection system in all its many aspects.
In view of its expertise in this field, Tdh took an active part in the process of finalization and validation of the document. The improvements proposed by the Foundation on the subject of child protection were retained by the Mali authorities, and the mobility approach was written into the policy document, which will facilitate the promotion of the mobility approach by the authorities and will also favour the creation of a protective environment for the youngsters.
In Mopti, the project is in full swing
The region of Mopti, in Mali, is a migration zone par excellence. Because of their youth, migrant children are only too easily exploited and are subjected to all forms of violence, abuse and mistreatment. To confront this, Tdh and its partner Enda Mali have set up psychosocial activities to help some 400 particularly vulnerable young migrant girls. In this framework, the girls have places to meet and exchange views and to develop, be given training and to learn about prevention and protection. The various activities allow them to regain confidence in themselves and to strengthen their mutual protection.
So you can learn more about helping children on the move, why don’t you read this recent Terre des hommes publication:
Every year, Tdh helps to bring about positive change in the daily life of more than two million children and their families. Learn more about our projects in Mali and about risk reduction in the mobility of children in West Africa.
