374 children on their way to neighboring countries of Burkina Faso where they were to be exploited in fields or artisanal mines, were "
intercepted and saved from trafficking
" between January and March, the Burkinabé ministry in charge said on Monday (September 13th). humanitarian action.
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"
In the first quarter of 2021, 374 presumed children (victims, editor's note) or victims of trafficking have already been intercepted
", declared at a press conference the Minister of Women, National Solidarity , Family and Humanitarian Action Hélène Marie Laurence Ilboudo. "
For some time, the phenomena that affect children have taken worrying proportions in our country,
" she warned, saying that 2318 children had been intercepted in 2020.
These children, aged under 16 for the most part and intended to work in plantations, artisanal mines or for domestic work, in the neighboring countries of Burkina Faso, were intercepted during bus checks, or upon denunciation. , according to the ministry.
An important destination for child trafficking, Côte d'Ivoire, the world's largest cocoa producer, has also intercepted and repatriated minors, used for work in the fields, the ministry said.
In addition, 58 children encountered during operations to secure the territory by the Defense and Security Forces, were handed over to social services, added Hélène Marie Laurence Ilboudo, also pointing to the extent of the phenomenon of street children.
