Terre Des Hommes Global Strategy Launch

Terre Des Hommes Africa Regional Director, Mr Raphael Kariuki gave the main address during the launch of Listen Up Global Strategy called Better Together to prevent and stop child exploitation. Terre Des Hommes Netherlands is an international NGO committed to stopping child exploitation. Since 1965, it has protected children around the world from harmful labour, trafficking and sexual exploitation.

Empowering communities and connecting children to those who have the power to bring about change will lead to a halt in child exploitation. Addressing the root causes of exploitation will lead to solutions and systematic change which is better than going for remedies. 

The launch brought together key stakeholders such as Government officials, child right networks and UN agencies to mark a step towards preventing and stopping child exploitation. Stopping the exploitation of children is an urgent matter since millions of children are being exploited in different settings for labour and online sexual exploitation. In Sub-Saharan Africa, children between the ages of 5 years to 17 years are exploited in child labour instead of going to school. 

During the launch, participants discussed the root causes of child exploitation abd how to bring about changes. They were urged to act as catalysts of change in their communities. The plan of being a catalyst is to be realized in three thematic programs: Humanitarian action, child labour and sexual exploitation of children. 

Approaches from Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia were also presented. Advocacy for children at local, national, regional and international levels to prevent and stop child exploitation. Efforts to support sustainable programs and empower children to participate in sharing knowledge on child exploitation is also a useful step. Empowering children to make their voices count. 

Families, communities, Government institutions and civil society organizations should collaborate to address the root causes of exploitation. Children will then flourish in a world free from all forms of exploitation.