BURKINA FASO STRIVES TO ADDRESS CHILD TRAFFICKING ISSUES.

UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000551

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KCRM ELAB SOCI PGOV UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO STRIVES TO ADDRESS CHILD TRAFFICKING ISSUES.


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Burkina Faso is a source and transit country for
trafficked children destined for labor or sexual exploitation in the
sub-region. In the past year, and in order to reverse this trend,
the Government of Burkina Faso has undertaken a number of noteworthy
anti-trafficking in persons (TIP) actions. The June 16 celebration
of the Day of the African Child was an example of the GOBF's efforts
to combat TIP through sensitization campaigns. It has also launched
a child vulnerability study and a TIP survey. END SUMMARY

The strategic city of Banfora hosts a major event:
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2. (SBU) On June 16, and in line with its yearlong anti-TIP
actions, the Government of Burkina Faso celebrated the 19th edition
of the Day of the Africa Child by hosting a large-scale
sensitization program presided over by Burkina Faso's First Lady,
Chantal Compaore. The event was hosted in the western city of
Banfora, about 275 miles South West of Ouagadougou near the Cote
d'Ivoire border (Note: Banfora is the capital city of Cascades
Region. End Note.) The Cascades region is the closest region to the
Ivoirian cotton plantations and gold mines where most trafficked
Burkinabe children go to work.


3. (SBU) More than six thousand people (including 2,000 Burkinabe
children and 210 Ivoirian children) participated in the event. Also
present were Burkinabe cabinet members, parliamentarians, local
authorities, traditional chiefs, and religious leaders. In
attendance were several international and NGO leaders, including
representatives from UNICEF, WHO, Plan International, and Save the
Children Canada. These institutions funded 4,000 T-shirts printed
with anti TIP messages that were distributed to participants and
observers as part of the sensitization drive. Children took center
stage during the event and emceed the show, delivered speeches and
produced sketches. Organizers believe that this event reached
approximately six thousand persons in addition to the participants.

TIP vulnerability study: The First Lady speaks out
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3. (SBU) A 2009 study conducted by the Regional Directorate of
Social Action and National Solidarity in the Cascades region
concluded that 10,737 orphans and other children are potential
trafficking victims. The study demonstrated that Burkinabe children
are particularly susceptible to labor trafficking networks in Cote
d'Ivoire. Representatives from the children's parliament, the
Governor of Cascades Region (Mrs. Fatoumata Legma),NGOs, UNICEF
representatives and the First Lady herself have spoken out publicly
denouncing the situation. They deplored that, in spite of efforts
made by the government, the TIP situation has worsened in Burkina
Faso. The children's spokesperson denounced the use of child labor
in mining sites and plantations as well as the many diseases,
malnutrition, and mistreatment/violence that afflict children. The
First Lady called for both collective and individual actions to
improve children's well-being. She raised the need to send children
to school, to vaccinate them, provide them with a safe and balanced
diet. The Minister of Social Action and National Solidarity echoed
those thoughts and said she was committed to enhancing and
multiplying actions toward improving children's living conditions.

The GOBF's efforts to address TIP:
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4. (SBU) On June 15, the GOBF and its partners (including UNICEF,
Plan International, and Terre des Hommes Lausanne) launched a
three-month, one billion CFA (approximately two million USD)
nationwide study pertaining to the use of child labor in the mining
and handicraft sectors. As part of the study, 75 interviewers and
4 consultants have been hired for the project that is intended to
address the worst forms of child labor and the children trafficked
for labor purposes. Conclusion of that report are expected to be
made public before December 2009.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: While in the past year Burkina Faso has made
laudable efforts to address, sensitize and combat child trafficking
in its worst forms, there is still a long way to go. In Burkina
Faso, poverty is a determining factor in vulnerability to child
trafficking and child labor (Note: In 2008, the UN Human Development
index rated Burkina Faso second to last among all countries. End
Note.) In addition to poverty, the insufficient funds and human
resources dedicated to combating trafficking, coupled with the poor
enforcement of existing laws have been obstacles to the eradication
of TIP in Burkina Faso. END COMMENT

LAEUCHLI