A/64/213 subsequently plan to bring them to a host country. It is therefore important that States of origin develop policies and strengthen bilateral, regional and international cooperation to reduce the number of unaccompanied children seeking to join their parents or other family members in host countries through irregular channels. 36. Gender is also one of the factors that may play a role in determining how migration affects the rights of children left behind. Research studies carried out in the Latin American region, for example, suggest that children left behind may be affected differently by the absence of their mother compared with the absence of their father, given that when a family member migrates, relations are redefined and subsequent changes in roles and responsibilities affect the daily life of the child. Furthermore, studies conducted by the International Labour Organization in Tajikistan suggest that the prolonged absence of the male head of household often leaves the rest of the family destitute. 37. The Special Rapporteur continues to receive information about instances in which children left behind are obliged to take on huge tasks inappropriate to their age or are subjected to physical, psychological or sexual abuse by the relatives or neighbours to whom they have been entrusted during their parents’ absence. The Special Rapporteur has also been informed of instances in which households have endured increased economic and psychological vulnerabilities, such as families left behind being weighed down by debt, exploited by moneylenders and vulnerable to pressure from and control by relatives because of their dependency on remittances. 38. The Special Rapporteur wishes to draw the attention of States to the need to protect children left behind, and strongly recommends that the situation of children staying behind in countries of origin be included on the agenda in international debates and forums on migration issues. The Special Rapporteur also encourages all relevant actors to undertake further studies to better understand the impact of migration processes on the well-being and enjoyment of human rights of children left behind in countries of origin. He also recommends the compilation and sharing of best practices in addressing the situation of children left behind in countries of origin, especially in the area of education. 39. The Special Rapporteur further encourages States to develop public policies to address the situation of children left behind in countries of origin, taking into account the best interests of the child as a guiding principle and ensuring the participation of such children in the design and implementation of those policies. He also encourages States to develop public policies to prevent the irregular migration of children and to undertake public information campaigns in communities of origin to alert them to the dangers of irregular migration and to inform them of existing protection mechanisms. 3. The situation of children on the move 40. The Special Rapporteur observes that children may be found “on the move” in a wide variety of circumstances, in particular at the passage and arrival stages of migration in countries of transit and destination. Children migrate with family members or independently, to seek both educational and employment opportunities. They may also be rejoining migrant members of the family or be in the process of being relocated or sent by families to stay with relatives or friends in third countries. Children may also be forcibly on the move, such as when they fall prey to 09-43777 11