Bottom of the Ladder

Exploitation and Abuse of Girl Domestic Workers in Guinea

Map of Guinea

Map of Mali

Summary

Recommendations

Key recommendations to the Government of Guinea..

Detailed recommendations

Methodology and Terminology

Methodological challenges

Terminology

I. The Context: Girl Childhood and Migration in West Africa

Poverty and economic crisis

Gender roles and unequal access to education..

Migration and trafficking in West Africa..

II. Recruitment into Domestic Work

Recruitment of girls from Guinea..

Recruitment of girls from Mali

Recruitment of refugee children from the region..

Risks connected to travel

III. Life of Girl Domestic Workers in Lower Guinea

The double role of employer and guardian..

Labor exploitation of girl domestic workers

Psychological, physical and sexual abuse..

Denial of education..

Trafficking..

Uncertain future: What girls do after ending domestic service..

IV. The Legal Framework

Guinean law...

International law...

V. Legal, Policy and Programmatic Responses to Protect Child Domestic Workers

The political and economic context

Policies and programs to protect children from abuse, labor exploitation and trafficking..

Prosecution of child abuse, exploitation and trafficking.. 103

Improving girls' access to education.. 104

VI. Conclusion107

Acknowledgements108