The ECOWAS Parliament has adopted a major resolution calling on member states to take urgent steps to protect street children and end child exploitation across West Africa.
The decision was reached on Thursday during the parliament’s 2026 First Ordinary Session in Abuja, Nigeria, where lawmakers debated growing concerns about vulnerable children in urban and border communities.
The resolution follows findings from a Joint Committee meeting held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, in April 2026. The committee covers Social Affairs, Gender, Human Rights, and related sectors focused on vulnerable populations.
Lawmakers said street children remain among the most exposed groups to abuse, neglect, and trafficking across the region.
They also directed the ECOWAS Parliament Speaker to transmit the resolution and committee report to the ECOWAS Commission President for onward delivery to the ECOWAS Council of Ministers.
Meanwhile, the parliament called on member states to design national strategies with clear targets, timelines, and funding to address street children challenges in line with international child rights standards.
Regional Strategy Targets Exploitation and Root Causes
The lawmakers also urged governments to strengthen child protection laws and ensure access to education, healthcare, birth registration, identity documentation, and child-friendly justice systems.
In addition, the ECOWAS Commission was asked to develop a harmonised regional framework to guide countries and improve coordination in tackling child streetism and exploitation.
The parliament further recommended expansion of the Child Rights Information Management System to improve data collection and accountability across member states.
Lawmakers said the root causes of street children must be addressed through stronger social protection systems, especially for poor and displaced families.
They also supported community-based child protection systems, parental support services, and public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing stigma and exclusion.
Because child trafficking often crosses borders, the resolution also called for stronger regional cooperation, including safe repatriation systems and shared intelligence among member states.
Capacity building for national institutions was also included, particularly for law enforcement and child protection agencies.
Meanwhile, the session also took place against a wider debate on ECOWAS reforms and regional stability. The bloc is currently reviewing its future integration strategy under a new six-pillar framework focused on security, economic growth, and citizen-centred governance.
ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah, recently warned that the bloc faces some of its toughest challenges since its creation in 1975, including political instability and emerging regional alliances.
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