Observed on June 12th, the World Day Against Child Labour is an opportunity to catalyse the growing worldwide movement to protect children from all forms of exploitation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the adoption of ILO Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour, which comprises ending trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children.
Sexual exploitation of children in the entertainment industry, in formal and informal sectors, is prevalent in various settings and contexts. It is an issue relevant to the countries where the Down to Zero Alliance partners operate¹. In Nepal, over 250 cases of children exploited in the entertainment industry were reported in the last three months. In Indonesia and other countries in the region, many children work in informal sectors like spas, guesthouses, restaurants, souvenir shops, and entertainment venues, where they are exposed to the risks of sexual exploitation.
“A significant number of cases of sexual abuse and or exploitation of children within the entertainment industry remain under-reported, primarily due to the prevailing power dynamics, fear of retaliation and loss of opportunities, including threats to careers or personal safety, insecurity, intimidation, discrimination, stigmatisation, and secondary victimisation²”
– Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children
Children oftentimes are approached by perpetrators through social media, they are groomed and trafficked domestically or to other countries. Within the entertainment sector, they may be involved in local or community initiatives, tourism or hospitality, commercial casting, auditions, filming, the music sector, or social media. The scope of the entertainment sector can also be informal and unregulated, drawing the workforce from children vulnerable to economic incentives, and children in street situations where ample risks exist for abuse or exploitation.
“Some television stations involve children as actors, putting them in situations of economic exploitation, where children have to follow long shooting schedules including overnight working times, and the industry lacks child safeguarding policies”
– Oviani Fathul Jannah, ECPAT Indonesia
This issue has been addressed in the UN Special Rapporteur’s report on the topic of the sexual exploitation of children in the entertainment industry which was presented in March 2024 to the Human Rights Council³. The report outlined recommendations for action on national, regional, and global levels.
CWIN – Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Centre, together with the Down to Zero Partners, on 16th May, organised an advocacy event during which the authorities and businesses committed to regulating the entertainment industry to better protect children in Nepal.
Ms. Lily Thapa, the Honourable Member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) from Nepal expressed commitment to “implement the recommendations from the UN Special Rapporteur’s report and incorporate safeguarding policies for children into NHRC’s Business and Human Rights Monitoring Guidelines by conducting inspections, monitoring and reporting on the state’s work towards eliminating child labour”.
The Down to Zero Alliance also held a dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, to elevate the voices of children on the issue of child protection needs in the entertainment sector to influence change in Southeast and South Asia.
For governments to:
For businesses to: