Another side of Child Trafficking - Children versus cultural manifestations in Niger

Abstract: This study is about child trafficking and how it is manifested in one of the poorest and least developed societies in the world, namely Niger. A child perspective, understood as the best interest of the child, serves as the starting point for this study. The purpose is to use the situation of the trafficking victims in Niger as a backdrop in order to discuss the Nigerien culture. Universalism and realism constitute the theoretical framework used for this analysis of children’s rights and well-being in relation to particular culture manifestations. Conceptions of normality and of the child will also be part of the discussion. Interviews conducted in Niger in the year 2009 constitute the basis for the thesis. This material covers interviews with local as well as international NGO’s, government officials and other people relevant to the child trafficking issue. The thesis suggests the culture to be one of the reasons the trafficking can be preserved in its present widespread form. It further argues that a Universalistic approach guided by the CRC is imperative if these children’s well-being is to be a priority on the national and international arena.