Migration patterns of children exposed to sexual exploitation in selected zones of Ethiopia
| Published date | 30 November 2012 |
| Pages | 262-274 |
| Date | 30 November 2012 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/17466661211286481 |
| Author | Ayalew Gebre |
| Subject Matter | Education,Health & social care,Sociology |
Migration patterns of children exposed
to sexual exploitation in selected zones
of Ethiopia
Ayalew Gebre
Abstract
Purpose – This study attempts to identify the rural-urban migration patterns of children, young girls in
particular, exposed to commercial sexual exploitation in urban and semi-urban environments of
Ethiopia. The study also concerns itself with gaining a more accurate understanding and insight into the
socioeconomic forces behind the migration process, and young people’s experiences in urban
communities. In addition, central to the study was its aim to inform programme interventions on curbing
the uncontrolled influx of children from the rural areas to urban centres and reducing their exposure to
commercial sexual exploitation.
Design/methodology/approach – The necessary body of field data was generated through the use of
a triangulation of methods that comprised a survey of children aged 13-18 exposed to commercial
sexual exploitation, in-depth interviews of 400 children across the three zone capitals and three
sub-cities of Addis Ababa, in addition to semi-structured interviews with key people such as local
government officials and religious and community leaders. Focus group discussions and case studies
were also utilised.
Findings – Migrants were most commonly uneducated girls between the ages of 16 and 20 who had
been married before leaving their rural communities. Reasons for migration were escaping the
oppression of the marital home, seeking independence and a better education, or leaving for fear of
being forced into child wedlock. Six key ‘‘push’’ factors were famine and war, environmental and
demographic factors, living conditions, the practice of early marriage, family discord and breakdown,
and early school leaving. The main ‘‘pull’’ factor was the possibility of escaping poverty. In towns and
cities, the realities of low wages, the difficulty of gaining paid employment and the failure of some
employers to pay for work all contributed to the movement of migrating children into commercial sexual
exploitation. Recommendations include the improvementof rural living conditions through greater health
and education provision, the introduction of family planning services, opportunities for off-farm activities
for women and girls, the abolition of child marriage, the provision of child-focusedrehabilitation services
and greater collaboration between government and NGO rehabilitation interventions and community
based organisations.
Originality/value – Information regarding the migration patterns of children can help governmental
agencies and NGOs to target key areas. Identifyingthe ‘ ‘push’’ and ‘‘pull’’ factors behind child migration
is the first step in its prevention, as vulnerable children migrating alone to large towns and cities are
targets for commercial sexual exploitation. Useful recommendations relating to the prevention of child
migration through the improvement of rural conditions and the need for rehabilitation services for
sexually exploited children are made.
Keywords Migration, Sexual exploitation, Push factors, Pull factors, Child abuse,
Curbing and remedial measures, Ethiopia, Children, Communities, Rural regions
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Studies focusing on rural-urban migration of people, including youths and children, have
emphasised the causes and motives behind the decision to migrate to towns and urban
centres (Deshingkar and Grimn, 2004; Andersen, 2006; Mberu, 2006; Hagen-Zanker,2008).
They identify the ‘‘push’’ and ‘ ‘pull’’ factors of migration. Included in the ‘‘push’ ’ factors are
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JOURNAL OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES
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VOL. 7 NO. 4 2012, pp. 262-274, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-6660 DOI 10.1108/17466661211286481
Ayalew Gebre is based in
the Department of Social
Anthropology,
Addis Ababa University,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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