ECOWAS Parliament Convenes in Freetown to Combat Child Exploitation in West Africa

By Ifeyinwa Ike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament has opened a four-day high-level Joint Committee meeting in Free Town, Sierra-Leone, targeting child exploitation and street children across the region.

Lawmakers, officials, and partners are gathered under the theme: “Parliamentary Approaches to Safeguarding Children in Street Situations and Addressing Child Exploitation in the ECOWAS Region.

The session, running through April 11, seeks to align child protection laws, enhance oversight, and boost coordination among member states.
The opening featured a moment of silence, followed by addresses stressing urgency.

Sierra Leone’s ECOWAS Delegation Head, Veronica Sesay, said thousands of West African children face exploitation, violence, and street life, calling for unified action: “We must ensure that no child is left without protection, opportunity, and hope.”

Sierra-Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Timothy Kabba warned of threats like trafficking and forced labour, urging borderless protections through harmonized laws.

Sierra-Leone highlighted its Child Rights Act 2025 and new safeguarding policies as models, including anti-child marriage measures and data tracking for exploitation cases.

Plans include field visits to assess street children challenges rooted in poverty and poor education access.

Stakeholders said outcomes must drive real policy shifts for millions of at-risk children.