Document Type
Brief
Publication Date
10-15-2020
Abstract
This research brief focuses on brokers in Ethiopia—both licensed and unlicensed—who place migrating girls into jobs such as domestic work, waitressing, and commercial sex work. The characteristics of brokers, their contacts, ways of working, and how brokers both support and harm migrant girls is examined. Brokers sometimes provide support to girls that goes beyond job placement, such as providing girls with necessary help in their initial days, including financial assistance, short-term lodging, and food. Alternatively, brokers can be a source of considerable risk for girls. It was reported that brokers often exploit newly arriving girls for sex, expose them to drugs and alcohol, and place them into risky situations through deception and coercion—including sex work. Brokers who are unlicensed are more prone to these behaviors, while licensed brokers felt that such actions gave the profession a bad name. Based on the research findings, recommendations for policymakers and programmers are detailed in three areas: programmatic support and attention to newly arriving migrant girls, enforcement of licensing and a code of conduct among brokers, and education and awareness-raising for migrating girls.
DOI
10.31899/pgy17.1010
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Erulkar, Annabel. 2020. "Characteristics of brokers in relation to the migration of girls and young women in Ethiopia," brief. Addis Ababa: Population Council.
Project
Selam Medirashachin (Safe Arrival)