Somalia: Information on child slavery in Somalia
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 February 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | SOM19795.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Somalia: Information on child slavery in Somalia, 1 February 1995, SOM19795.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6abfb40.html [accessed 4 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A representative of Somali Immigrant Aid in Toronto explained that it is common in Somalia for young children aged from 8 to 15, particularly female children without parents or run-away children, to be taken into homes and employed as domestic servants (22 Feb. 1995). Since government agencies care for the welfare of homeless children do not exist in Somalia, and since the rights of such children are not respected, those who take them in may "use" them in any way they wish (ibid.). The children become part of the family but are not paid in money nor sent to school. In cases of abuse, they cannot leave because they do not have anywhere to go. Children from minority clans or those whose parents are poor are particularly at risk of exploitation. The children only leave families when they marry (ibid.). A representative of the Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke corroborated this information but added that sometimes the children are paid in money, if they have parents, and are working to support their poor families (22 Feb. 1995).
This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Somali-Canadian Association of Etobicoke, Toronto. 22 February 1995. Telephone interview with representative.
Somali Immigrant Aid, Toronto. 22 February 1995. Telephone interview with representative.
