In Libya, girls and boys are living in a very volatile environment characterized by the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance, risk of recruitment and trafficking, high prevalence of  weapons across the country, a fragmentation of families and community networks, particularly in the case of displacement, and a critical breakdown of basic services,  including health and education. Migrant and refugee children in Libya have specific vulnerabilities linked to their status and, in some instances, nationality and race. The journey crossing the African continent to reach Italy, via Central Mediterranean route, is particularly dangerous. It takes most young migrants and refugees through Libya, where they contend with pervasive lawlessness and violence and are often detained, by State authorities and others. All children on the move are at heightened risk of human trafficking, arbitrary detention, forced labour, physical abuse and sexual exploitation during their journey and when they arrive in Libya.

The CPWG has three sectoral objectives that inform response activities: i) strengthen community-based child protection to enhance protection of children from violence, abuse and exploitation; ii) provide specialized child protection services to girls and boys who are survivors or at risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation; and iii) increase child protection capacity to prevent and respond to child protection concerns in Libya. In line with the strategic objectives, child protection objectives are framed on the three components - prevention, response and capacity strengthening- with the focus on enhancing existing resilience of children and communities; increasing access to age and gender sensitive case management services; and strengthening strategic partnership and coordination with national and local actors.