By Mariama Bundu
The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has raised serious concerns over the protection of children living in street situations following a nationwide monitoring exercise conducted in March 2026.
The Commission reported that children, particularly girls, are exposed to exploitation, including sexual abuse and forced domestic labour, describing the situation as a growing child protection crisis requiring urgent attention.
The monitoring exercise, carried out between 2 and 20 March 2026 across the Western Area, Kenema, Bo, Makeni, and Port Loko, engaged 199 children, comprising 122 boys and 77 girls.
HRCSL noted that while boys are more visible in street activities such as trading and begging, girls are often at greater risk of hidden and severe forms of exploitation. Many of the children were found living in unsafe conditions, including markets, verandas, and abandoned buildings, with limited access to healthcare, nutrition, and protection services.
The Commission also highlighted widespread reports of violence, economic exploitation, and the confiscation of earnings. It identified poverty, family breakdown, neglect, and weak social protection systems as key drivers of the situation.
Additionally, HRCSL expressed concern over the growing impact of substance abuse, particularly Kush, which it said is contributing to school dropouts and prolonged street involvement among children.
The Commission has called for urgent, coordinated, and sustained action by government, civil society, and development partners to address both the immediate needs of affected children and the root causes of their vulnerability.
