The World Day Against Sexual Exploitation is observed globally on March 4th each year to raise awareness about sexual exploitation and offer support to victims of sexual abuse.
- Since 2009, March 4th has been recognized as the World Day to Fight Against Sexual Exploitation.
Significance:
i.The World Day to Fight Against Sexual Exploitation was created in response to the growing incidents of sexual exploitation, such as human trafficking, child pornography, prostitution, and various other forms of violence.
ii.Human rights organizations and activists played a key role in establishing this day to raise awareness and urge governments and communities to take action.
Sexual Exploitation:
i.The United Nations (UN) defines sexual exploitation as any abuse or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power imbalance, or trust for sexual purposes.
ii.It includes transactional sex, regardless of the legal status of sex work in a particular country.
Acts of Sexual Exploitation:
i.Sexual assault, Child sexual exploitation (CSE), and abuse.
ii.Insisting on sex in any context or requiring it as a condition for receiving help.
iii.Coercing someone into participating in prostitution or pornography.
iv.Inappropriate or unwelcome sexual touching.
v.Forcing sex or someone to have sex with anyone.
vi.Neglecting to practice safe sex.
Key Points:
i.The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that nearly 5 million women are victims of forced sexual exploitation each year.
- Children make up over 20% of all victims of commercial sexual exploitation, with a notable number of boys and young men also falling victim to sexual exploitation.
- Members of the LGBT community are particularly vulnerable due to societal stigma and the limited availability of specialized services.
ii.According to the 2024 report by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on the first global and regional estimates of sexual violence against children.
- More than 370 million girls and women – about 1 in 8 – have been raped or sexually assaulted before turning 18. Including non-contact forms of sexual violence, like online or verbal abuse, increases the number to 650 million globally – or 1 in 5.
- An estimated 240 to 310 million boys and men – about 1 in 11 – have been raped or sexually assaulted during childhood. When including non-contact abuse, the number rises to 410 to 530 million.
About United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF):
Executive Director(ED) – Catherine Mary Russell
Headquarters – New York, the United States of America(USA)
Established -1946
