This report aims to provide an overview of existing legal and institutional frameworks
on the issue of human trafficking in the Southern African sub-region. It forms the basis
of an analysis on how and where in this institutional framework child trafficking can best
be focused as a way in which the ILO Southern African Towards the Elimination of
Worst forms of Child Labour Programme (TECL) can target its efforts and develop
manuals, agreements and protocols as part of its exit strategy.
Although the focus of the ILO is on child trafficking, this report is intended to be a basis
for ongoing discussions on assimilating the issue in regional law and policy and will take
the form of a broad discussion on trafficking in persons in the region, with references to
child trafficking where necessary. Any initiative to address child trafficking should
necessarily form part of a larger framework on trafficking in persons at both regional and
national level. However, it is important not to lose sight of the fact that the ILO
specifically concentrates its efforts on combating child trafficking.
The report provides a brief synopsis of the extent of the trafficking problem in Southern
Africa. It then presents an overview of the relevant institutional frameworks and bodies,
including a summary of, and recommendations regarding regional instruments (protocols
and bilateral or regional agreements, for example) related to trafficking in the sub-region.
It also gives an indication of their status, with specific reference to child trafficking, and
examines sub-regional mechanisms addressing that issue.