In FY2017, girls made up 32 percent of unaccompanied migrant children from Central America in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). These girls undertook the journey to the United States despite the well-known risks of sexual violence, trafficking, and other forms of violence and abuse along the migration route. Many were already fleeing sexual violence in their countries of origin, where they could not find protection or assistance. While there has been increased attention to child migration from Central America, insufficient attention has been paid to the specific needs and experiences of unaccompanied girls who make the perilous journey to the United States.

To respond to the needs of this uniquely vulnerable group, in 2015 KIND launched its Gender and Migration Initiatives (GMI), a new programming area focused on preventing and addressing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against migrant children. The GMI combines research, policy advocacy, and programming to promote the rights and protection of migrant children, including survivors of SGBV, in all phases of their migration journey.