“In situations of displacement, inequality, conflict, instability and poverty, it is the children that are most affected and vulnerable to violence and sexual exploitation and abuse.”
Shrinkhala Thapa
Regional Coordinator for South Asia
April marks the sacred month of Ramadan, celebrated by Muslims all over the world. While Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, personal growth, and quality time to spend with loved ones, millions will once again find themselves observing the holy month displaced from their homes due to conflicts, instability, poverty, and even the ongoing pandemic.
In such situations, it is the children that are most affected and vulnerable to violence and sexual exploitation and abuse.
At ECPAT, our mission is to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and abuse. We rely on evidence-based research and adopt victim-centred approaches to better understand and respond to the problem. We recognise the importance of collaboration to create actionable change, and engage with numerous stakeholders including governments, civil society organisations, the private sector, the general public and children themselves.
Across the ECPAT network, we have 122 members in 104 countries—some of which have predominantly Muslim populations. From tackling online child sexual exploitation to ending child trafficking, our members around the world are committed to ending all forms of child sexual exploitation and abuse!
Over the course of this month, we will put the spotlight on some of the countries in the world where Ramadan is widely celebrated, focusing on the issue of child sexual exploitation in various forms.
