SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN: ORGANIZATIONS FORM JOINT FORCE

Child rights organizations are to form a joint force to deal with the increasing cases of sexual exploitation of children on and off line. In a meeting convened by Uganda Development Link, the organizations agreed that working together is the way to go to deal with the problem. The executive Director, Uganda Child Rights NGO Network, Stella Ayo says together the organizations will make a united strong voice contrary to each organization fighting alone. "It is time for us to come together and deal with this problem, if all organizations come together with government and the private sector, we present a strong joint force and we will get to where we want to be." Stella Ayo said during the meeting for all stakeholders. The executive Director Uganda Youth Development Link, Rogers Kasirye says the findings on the sexual exploitation of children are alarming and need urgent action. According to the report, children especially teenagers are exploited online as they look for likes and comments, material things as well as the desire to travel abroad and hook white men. In the process, many end up sharing information with strangers that later abuse them. "Many children are abused and refugee children are not saved either. Their situation is worse because many are unaccompanied and at the mercy of strangers" Mr. Kasirye said. He said there is need to engage parents because they let their children access phones and the internet without any control. The organizations will hold further meetings to forge a way forward on how to fight the problem.

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