By Nasratu Kargbo
Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Bio has called for the enhancement of laws to protect children against sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and violence and for perpetrators of such acts to face justice. She made the statement at the 77th session of the UN Assembly on the 8th November 2022.
She explained that children should be protected in every space, whether at home, online or in their communities and asked that they should find ways of elevating the voices of victims in order to eradicate stigma.
The First Lady explained that according to World Health Organization (WHO), forced sex, sexual exploitation, abuse and violence are amongst the 24 risk factors that have contributed to the global burden of diseases.
She noted that developing countries with rampant cases of child sexual exploitation, abuse and violence have had an increase of chronic diseases that have been linked to such acts, stressing that this has led to negative impact on the GDP growth, and the social and economic development of the countries where such occurrences are prevalent.
Bio explained that preventing child sexual abuse is an emergency, and is one that requires a multi-sectorial approach.
Highlighting effective approaches to preventing the menace, the first lady said that teaching positive quality parental skills, increasing awareness amongst governments, international organisations and civil society on certain actions should be taken by stakeholder to combat child sexual exploitation, abuse and violence which will go a long way in solving the problem.
She commended the effort by the UN Assembly in making November 18 a day commemorating awareness on sexual abuse.
Introducing the draft resolution she informed the general assembly that apart from the main sponsors which are Nigeria and Sierra Leone, there are at least 100 member states that have co-sponsored the draft resolution on E-debate.
The First Lady added that adopting the resolution to declare 18th November as World Day focused against child sexual exploitation, abuse and violence will serve as means to sensitize the public on those issues.
Copyright (09/11/22)
