‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.

In 2023, there were continued allegations of grave violations against children linked to federal and state government security forces, including recruitment and use, killing and maiming, and sexual violence. Despite a government order barring the recruitment of children into state armed groups, members of the federal armed forces, security services, regional forces, and police in Galmudug, Jubaland, and Puntland continued to recruit children into their ranks. Al-Shabaab, which forcibly recruited children as young as age 8 into its ranks, committed a majority of grave violations, using deception or coercion tactics to forcibly recruit victims, including children, into sexual slavery, combat, and support roles. Al-Shabaab also continued the practice of forcing communities to turn over male children to serve as child soldiers, imposing a financial penalty on families who refused to cooperate.

Children at Higher Risk

Conflict, severe drought, and devastating floods forced more than 1 million people in Somalia to flee their homes, raising the country's population of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to over 3.8 million during the reporting period. IDPs, including children, are significantly less likely to benefit from educational opportunities, and remain acutely vulnerable to sex trafficking and forced labor. Non-state armed groups have been reported to recruit children in IDP communities. In addition, pastoralist communities face additional impediments to education, as their nomadic existence makes static schools impractical. Children and youth among these groups are considered at high risk of exploitation or recruitment into armed groups such as al-Shabaab. Children from minority clan households are also particularly vulnerable to forced recruitment by military groups.

Barriers to Education Access

Recurrent climate shocks, including widespread famine and protracted violence, remain significant barriers to education. Schools are also targeted for violence by al-Shabaab and have been occupied by both state and non-state forces. In addition, there is limited availability of public schools outside of the capital city of Mogadishu and families are often unable to pay the fees charged by private schools. Girls face additional obstacles including lower prioritization of girls’ education, an insufficient number of female teachers, and lack of sanitation facilities within schools, which negatively affect girls’ attendance and learning.

‡ Age calculated based on available information

Although the Labor Code establishes age 12 as the minimum age for light work and describes the conditions under which it may be undertaken, it neither determines the activities in which light work may be permitted nor prescribes the number of hours per week for light work. In addition, the gap between the end of compulsory education and the minimum age for work leaves children aged 14 vulnerable to child labor because they are not required to attend school but may not legally work. Furthermore, while the constitution states that children may not perform work that would endanger their health or development, and while the 1972 Labor Code enables the publication of a hazardous works list, the government has not determined by regulation the types of hazardous work prohibited for children.

The Federal Government of Somalia lacks legislation prohibiting human trafficking, including of children, or the use of children in illicit activities. Though laws prohibit procuring people for prostitution, they do not specifically increase punishment for procurement of children, and no laws prohibit the use or offering of a child for prostitution or the use, procuring, and offering of a child for pornography or pornographic performances. Under Article 405 of the Penal Code, children involved in prostitution are not protected from criminal charges. Many fines for offenses under the Penal Code are equal to or less than one dollar, making them an ineffective deterrent against exploitation of children. Finally, although Somalia's Provisional Constitution asserts the right of children to be protected from armed conflict, there is not an explicit legal prohibition against recruitment of children by non-state armed groups.

In 2023, it is unknown how many labor inspectors conducted worksite inspections, or whether child labor violations were found. It is also unknown whether investigations into suspected cases of the worst forms of child labor were conducted, prosecutions were initiated, or perpetrators were convicted.

For information about USDOL’s projects to address child labor around the world, visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/ilab-project-page-search
† Program is partially funded by the Federal Government of Somalia.

Somalia does not provide clear protections against anti-union discrimination and penalties for violations of freedom of association, collective bargaining, and the right to strike for workers were not commensurate with similar crimes. These factors can hinder workers' ability to report child labor, particularly in agriculture and the informal economy.

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