EcoParl Meeting Ends with New Regional Strategy For Child Protection
A multi-sectoral Joint Committee of the ECOWAS Parliament concluded a five-day meeting in Freetown on Saturday, adopting a strategic framework to combat child exploitation and improve the lives of children in street situations across West Africa.
The meeting, held from April 7–11, 2026, brought together regional lawmakers and civil society actors to address the growing vulnerability of children in the region. The committee emphasized that while policy frameworks exist, a significant gap remains between legislation and actual implementation on the ground.
Focus on Funding and Enforcement
The Joint Committee, which includes representatives from social affairs, legal rights, and regional security sectors, called on Member States to move beyond rhetoric. The group urged the immediate adoption of well-funded national strategies specifically targeted at street children.
Participants identified several critical barriers to progress, notably:
- Weak enforcement of existing child protection laws.
- Limited institutional capacity within individual Member States.
- Inadequate financing for frontline child services.
Shift to Trauma-Informed Care
A key outcome of the session was the recommendation to shift toward “trauma-informed” protection systems. The committee urged governments to prioritize a child-centered approach that ensures street children have access to:
- Education and vocational training.
- Healthcare and psychosocial support.
- Legal identity and child-friendly justice systems.
To prevent children from ending up on the streets in the first place, the committee advocated for expanded social protection programs and poverty reduction measures aimed at strengthening the family unit.
Regional Cooperation and Data Tracking
Recognizing that child vulnerability often crosses national borders, the committee recommended that the ECOWAS Commission establish a harmonized regional framework. This includes creating cross-border referral systems and safe repatriation protocols for children on the move.
The committee also praised the ECOWAS Child Rights Information Management System (ECRIMS) but called for its expansion. Lawmakers noted that better data collection and synchronized definitions are essential for tracking interventions and ensuring “continuity of care.”
Legislative Commitment
The meeting concluded with a pledge by parliamentarians to push for a formal Parliamentary Resolution. This resolution would empower the ECOWAS Parliament to better monitor how Member States are upholding national and regional child protection frameworks.
Committee members described the protection of vulnerable children as both a “moral obligation” and a necessary investment in the long-term stability and development of West Africa.
