Submitted by crinadmin on
A new study by Save the Children, Visitors from Zimbabwe, highlights the vulnerability of children from Zimbabwe crossing into Mozambique in search of food and work. Many are orphans or simply unaccompanied and therefore are especially vulnerable to neglect, abuse and exploitation. The survey found that the illegal status of these children puts them at risk of labour exploitation. Children take jobs in agriculture, construction and petty trades, where they are paid less than their Mozambican peers and have no protection under labour laws. Meanwhile girls, as young as twelve, are turning to prostitution as a means of survival. Indeed local NGOs working in this area report that numbers of child prostitutes is on the increase. These children have little or no access to an education or health services. The survey in Manica province is thought to be the first to look into this issue. Due to considerable sensitivity around this problem and the fact that children and adults who cross illegally are reluctant to be interviewed it was extremely difficult to determine just how many children were involved. Some sources estimated 10-15 children per day were entering Mozambique. An immigration official spoke of 2-3 thousand people per day crossing legally, of which a “considerable number” were children. Given the porous nature of the border between the two countries it is possible that the number of illegal migrants is higher. Chris McIvor, Director of Save the Children in Mozambique is determined to improve the situation for children crossing the border into Mozambique, “Although we were unable to determine just how many children are crossing the border it is clear that large numbers of these children are alone and extremely vulnerable. More needs to be done, both in terms of research and assistance, if we’re to stop children being exploited and abused as they take desperate measures to escape poverty and hunger at home”. Save the Children urgently called for more research into the issue of child migration and trafficking both from Zimbabwe and Mozambique into other countries in the region, as well as better provision of assistance and services, such as child reception centres, along the various borders. Further information