Migrant Girls and Domestic Work |
Background
During the regional seminar on children on the move in May 2009, stakeholders from the region identified that there was not enough information on how and why children, particularly girls were moving across borders as well as internally, what they do in the country or place they move to, and how this has made them vulnerable.
There also appears to be very little information on exploitative labour and children in the southern Africa region. Finally, whilst there has been much research on migrant children undertaken in urban areas in southern Africa - smaller towns, labour hotspots, for example mining areas and many international border areas have yet to be researched.
For this reason it was agreed that it would be of regional value to undertake a study which focuses on girl children, but not to the exclusion of boys, and exploitative labour focusing on domestic work. Four research sites that cover both cross border and internal migration will be identified for the study.
Aim of research
The aim of the research is to explore how and why young children move and are made vulnerable to exploitative labour, focusing specifically on domestic work.
Research objectives
- To identify the routes and networks children use to move.
- To explore the reasons why children decide to move.
- To find out more about how they go about finding work.
- To identify the vulnerabilities they are exposed to in their work environment.
Purpose of research
The research will provide a better understanding of how and why children move and are made vulnerable to exploitative labour as a result. The findings will help inform policy and programming around the protection of children (particularly girls) on the move in the region.
Use of research
It is envisaged that this research would be used by SCUK and FMSP (as well as by any other person, organisation or government working on children on the move) to advocate for policy and legislative change both nationally and regionally in order to address the labour exploitation of migrant children, particularly girls employed as domestic workers.
Project partner: Save the Children UK