The Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States has adopted a far-reaching resolution calling on member states to take urgent and coordinated measures to protect street children and combat child exploitation across the West African subregion. The regional parliament said the growing number of vulnerable children living on the streets of many West African countries has become a major humanitarian, social and security concern requiring immediate and collective intervention by governments and relevant stakeholders.
As part of the resolution, the ECOWAS Parliament urged member states to strengthen child protection systems, improve access to education and healthcare, and implement policies capable of addressing the root causes of child vulnerability, poverty and exploitation. The lawmakers also called on the ECOWAS Commission to develop a harmonised regional framework on street children that would guide member states in responding more effectively to the crisis and ensure coordinated action throughout the subregion.
According to the parliament, the proposed framework is expected to establish common standards, policy guidelines and intervention mechanisms aimed at protecting vulnerable children and reducing the risks they face on the streets. The resolution further urged the ECOWAS Commission to intensify regional coordination by working closely with national governments, civil society organisations and international development partners involved in child welfare and protection programmes.
Lawmakers stressed that stronger collaboration among stakeholders remains essential to addressing the complex challenges confronting street children, including homelessness, trafficking, forced labour, abuse and denial of access to education. The parliament also recommended the expansion of the ECOWAS Child Rights Information Management System to support data-driven policymaking, effective monitoring and accountability across member states.
According to the regional lawmakers, reliable and updated data would enable governments and policymakers to better understand the scale of the problem and develop targeted interventions capable of improving the welfare of vulnerable children. The adoption of the resolution comes amid growing concerns over increasing child exploitation and the rising number of street-connected children in several countries within the West African region. Experts say factors such as poverty, armed conflict, displacement, unemployment, family breakdown and weak social welfare systems have contributed significantly to the problem.
In many urban centres across West Africa, thousands of children are forced to survive on the streets where they are exposed to violence, exploitation, trafficking, drug abuse and other forms of abuse. Human rights advocates have repeatedly warned that failure to address the plight of street children could have long-term consequences for regional stability, social development and public security.
The ECOWAS Parliament noted that protecting children is not only a moral responsibility but also a critical investment in the future development and stability of the region. The lawmakers therefore called on member states to allocate adequate resources toward child protection programmes and social welfare initiatives aimed at reducing child vulnerability. They also encouraged governments to strengthen legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms against child trafficking, child labour and all forms of exploitation affecting minors.
Observers say the resolution reflects growing recognition within the region that child welfare issues require stronger political commitment and regional cooperation. Development experts believe that harmonised policies and coordinated interventions could improve the effectiveness of child protection efforts and reduce duplication among agencies and organisations operating across borders. Civil society groups have also welcomed the move, describing it as a significant step toward placing child protection and social welfare higher on the regional development agenda.
They, however, stressed that beyond adopting resolutions, governments must ensure practical implementation of policies and sustained funding for programmes targeting vulnerable children. Analysts further noted that regional institutions such as ECOWAS have an important role to play in promoting collective responses to social challenges that transcend national boundaries. The parliament reiterated that protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their access to education, healthcare and social support are essential components of sustainable development and long-term peace in West Africa.
The latest resolution by the ECOWAS Parliament is expected to encourage stronger cooperation among member states and reinforce ongoing efforts to safeguard the rights and welfare of children throughout the region.
