Media Advisory

Launch of the Consortium on Children on the Move and

Child Labour

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What:        The African Union Commission (AUC), the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), together with International Organization for Migration (IOM), the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) will officially launch a consortium on children on the move and child labour

Theme:      Institutionalizing a Continental Approach and Programmatic Response to Children on the Move and Child LabourWhen:      Friday 12^th April 2024 

Where:       Maseru, Lesotho, UN UNICEF boardroom

Time:         08:30. am. – 5: 00.pm. UTC +2 (SAST)  

Who:         The launch will be attended by representatives from AUC, ACERWC, IOM, ILO, UNICEF, and other key players. Additionally, government officials from Lesotho, specifically the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police will be present.

Why:       This launch marks a key step in Africa's efforts to protect its most vulnerable population – children. The Consortium's deliberations will not only calibrate operational modalities but also exchange crucial technical insights to fine-tune proposals aimed at enhancing the protection of children in vulnerable situations. This meeting will identify key priority areas and develop an action plan for implementation. Participation of esteemed organizations and government representatives underscores the significance of this initiative, making it key for the media to cover and disseminate its outcomes.

Participants:
The launch will be attended by representatives from AUC, ACERWC, IOM, ILO, UNICEF, and other key players. Additionally, government officials from Lesotho, specifically the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs, and Police will be present.

Background:

The AUC, through its Division of Labour, Employment, and Migration (LEMD), prioritizes addressing vulnerabilities and protection dimensions of children in Africa, focusing on children in labour and employment scenarios, as well as children in migration, known as "children on the move." To achieve this, the Commission collaborates with key partners including ACERWC, IOM, ILO and UNICEF.

Grounded in Agenda 2063 and its First Ten-Year Implementation Plan, as well as Agenda 2040, the Commission has developed a Proposal titled "Enhancing the protection of Children in Vulnerable Populations," focusing on combating child labour and establishing a programmatic response to children on the move in Africa. This initiative aligns with the African Union Ten Year Action Plan on Eradication of Child Labour, Forced Labour, Human Trafficking, and Modern Slavery in Africa (2020-2030), targeting SDG goal 8.7.

A study by ACERWC in 2019 identified primary drivers for child migration in Africa including conflict, security issues, illegal activities, smuggling, trafficking, child labor, poverty, and child abuse. In response, African Heads of States adopted a Ten-Year Action Plan in February 2020, aiming to eradicate child labour by 2025 and forced labour, human trafficking, and modern slavery by 2030. This plan is closely aligned with the Durban Call to Action, emphasizing integrated efforts among governments, international organizations, civil society, and businesses to achieve SDG target 8.7. Overall, these initiatives aim to strengthen legal frameworks, social protection mechanisms, and coordination efforts at national, regional, and continental levels to enhance the rights and well-being of children in Africa.

For additional information: 

1. Sabelo Mbokazi | Head I Labour, Employment and Migration (LEM) Division I African Union Commission I Email: mbokazis@africa-union.org
2. Amohelang NtsoboI Legal Officer, Joint Labour Migration Programme (JLMP) |

      Email: ntsoboa@africa-union.org

For media inquiries and interview:  

1. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar I Senior Communication Officer I African Union Commission I Email: gamalk@africa-union.org
2. Innocent Vuga I Communication & Knowledge Management Officer - JLMP I African Union Commission I Email: vugai@africa-union.org

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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