Tsepiso Calls for Action to End Child Sexual Exploitation

Statement by Tsepiso, 15, World Vision Child Representative
At the 45th Ordinary Session of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC)

Child Representatives,

Your Excellency's

Representatives of Member States,

Heads of Humanitarian Institutions

Development Partners

Distinguished Delegates

Ladies and Gentlemen

We appreciate that:

The African Union has taken leadership in providing for the protection of children as demonstrated by the availability of charters and protocols; one of which is the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child. Member states have signed and demonstrated child protection instruments as demonstrated by availability of laws and policies for the prevention and management of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Cases of child sexual exploitation and abuse continue to rise across the continent, robbing us of our childhood, physical and mental health, and in worst case scenarios; our right to life as guaranteed by the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child.

Below are the examples of Headlines of stories covered in the media, demonstrating that child sexual exploitation and abuse is alive:

• A 14-year-old girl fives birth and dies
• A 47-year-old man repeatedly defiles her 7-year-old daughter while she was admitted for treatment to the cancer disease hospital
• Chilanga District in Zambia records 19 defilement cases
• Mothers in a polygamous marriage demand the release of their husband following his arrest for repeatedly defiling and infecting daughter with HIV
• School principal and teacher suspended for sexually abusing two 4-year-old nursery kids
• Businessman cleared of rape charges because body of minor was big
• Child sexual abuse victim breaks down to prolonged delay in hearing case
• 3-year-old child kidnapped and trafficked
• Police refuses to open case in which a mother reported her brother for raping her 11-year-old daughter
• 12 criminals caught for smuggling children aged between 2 and 15 years
• Girl,16, brutally killed on her way from buying charcoal, water and tomatoes from a nearby shop
• Serial child rapist escapes prison
• 1 in every 3 young South Africans is a victim of sexual abuse
• Jesuit center of theological reflection expresses deep concern over alarming increase in cases of child defilement
• Stop defiling our girls, Minister pleads with child defilers

As I conclude, I urge the committee, national governments, Civil Society Organizations (CSO's), Development partners, Families, Communities to fully address factors that expose my fellow children to child sexual exploitation and abuse as well as strengthen laws and policies to combat the vice.

I Thank You 

Disclaimer:
This initiative is implemented in partnership with REPSSI (Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative). World Vision Lesotho is proud to collaborate with REPSSI in amplifying the voices of children and promoting their rights and well-being.