| dc.description.abstract | This research project is an attempt to analyse the multiple challenges faced by
unaccompanied refugee children in urban settings but with an emphasis on young girls from
the Democratic republic of Congo living in Nairobi, Kenya. The refugee child like all other
children have rights and most of all is the right for them to just be children. This however is a
privilege or luxury that most refugee children do not have. Despite these children fleeing
their countries of origin due to well-founded fear, they get no reprieve in their countries of
asylum because being unaccompanied they now have to figure out how they will fed for
themselves, their children and most likely their siblings if they are the older ones.
This research discusses the situation of Congolese girls with regards to the Kenyan
government, the local communities, UNHCR and their role in the lives of these children, their
psychosocial support, their livelihood and the prospects of durable solutions for these
children. This study has looked into various legal statutes providing for the rights of children
including the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UNHCR Guidelines on Refugee
Children, and Guidelines on policies and procedures in dealing with unaccompanied children
seeking asylum, and Kenyan government immigration procedure on asylum seekers
specifically children
The research finds that unlike what many people think, Kenya is not friendly particularly
towards urban refugees. They are harassed by public officials, they are dehumanised by
workers and are generally looked down upon by the general public.
The study recommends that Kenya comes up with a policy that will cater for the rights of
urban refugees. In that way, Kenya would benefit, not only because the refugees would
contribute towards economic growth, but also because this step will encourage more urbanbased
refugees to register with the government or with UNHCR. | en |
