Is there a gender-based analysis of unaccompanied migrant minors? A systematic review of the evidence

Abstract

Background: Given the increased international arrival of unaccompanied migrant minors in recent decades, the need has arisen to optimise their protection and the resources offered to them. In addition to the known difficulties faced by unaccompanied minors, girls encounter additional obstacles due to their gender. Unaccompanied migrant girls face the threat of triple invisibility as minors, migrants and women. This reality is analysed in this study, which is intended to seed future research under a gendered approach to the reception and integration of unaccompanied migrant minors. Objectives: This study aims to verify whether the literature includes a scientific, gender-based analysis of unaccompanied migrant minors and, in turn, to shed light on gendered understandings of migration, unaccompanied migrant children’s characteristics, social needs, risk and protection factors, highlighting the main differences found between migrant girls and boys. Methodology: A systematic literature review based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines was used to identify research and international studies focused on unaccompanied minors, highlighting those that integrated a gendered perspective. Results: The search of different databases identified studies covering gender-based differences among unaccompanied minors across 17 countries. This analysis revealed some differential aspects among unaccompanied migrant children related to their social, health and educational needs that could improve social inclusion in the host society. The authors want to overcome the reductionism of analyses limited to disaggregating the data according to gender; thus, a more in-depth analysis incorporating other distinctive characteristics is put forward. Conclusion: A better understanding of the experience and needs of migrant girls and boys should guide future research in this field to support the development of more effective, gender-specific intervention strategies.