An examination of the causes and experiences of cross border migration among unaccompanied children from Zimbabwe: a case of Plumtree 2015-2017

Abstract

The number of unaccompanied children who migrate across borders has been on the rise since the turn of the century. These children leave their homes in the absence of their parents and/or guardians to embark on a dangerous journey of migrating to neighboring countries, Botswana as in this case and most times without the required legal travel documents, resulting in children using undesignated crossing points which are dangerous to gain entry into Botswana. Upon deportation, some of the children become repeat migrants using the same dangerous routes. This study sought to examine the causes of children`s migration from Zimbabwe, looking at their preflight conditions visa vie their experiences during the whole migration process. This area has not received significant attention in the past as it has been overshadowed by adult migration, children as part of family migration where their views and experiences are explained from the adults` perspectives of migration. This study makes significant contribution to literature by incorporating the children’s voices where their lived unaccompanied migration experiences are concerned. Mixed methods research was employed to highlight these issues and semi structured questionnaires, unstructured and semi structured interviews and document reviews were used as data collection tools to obtain rich descriptions on the lived experiences of these children. On the causes of migration, the study found out that children are migrating largely because of economic hardships although there are other reasons that act as catalysts to prompt the decision to migrate. On the experiences of children, the study found out that children faced a myriad of challenges and negative social effects during the migration journey, in the settlement area and during the deportation process. These include discrimination, assault, arrest and detention, robberies, harassment, trafficking and sexual violence. The study discovered that where the gendered pattern of migration is concerned, both boys’ and girls` rights are exploited as children engage in child labour but however girls experience double exploitation as some end up as victims of child sexual exploitation. The findings of this study revealed that there is an existing paradox between legislation and implementation as children`s rights are grossly violated when they are on the move especially when their migration is autonomous.