Free children of sexual exploitation

Child sex tourism has become a worldwide phenomenon, but it is concentrated in Central and South America and Asia. Thailand's Health System Research Institute reports that children comprise 40 percent of the prostitutes in the country. Apart from the moral and ethical implications, the impact that sexual exploitation has on children's health and development demands urgent attention.

Sexually exploited children are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. In addition, because of the conditions in which they live, sexually exploited children can easily become victims of malnourishment, develop feelings of guilt and inadequacy, and suffer from depression.

Throughout the world, many individuals and NGOs are working intensely to protect children's rights, and many times, their work brings them into conflict with governments and powerful interest groups.

Among the United Nations agencies, UNICEF has been particularly active in highlighting this phenomenon and in addressing the root causes of sexual exploitation, by providing economic support to families to free their children of the risk of sexual exploitation, by improving access to education - particularly for girls - and by becoming a strong advocate of the rights of the child.

The work of UN agencies and NGOs should complement the efforts of governments to stop child trafficking and sexual exploitation of children. Such actions should include preventing children's sexual exploitation through social mobilization and awareness building, providing social services to sexually exploited children and their families, and creating the legal framework and resources for psychosocial counseling and for the appropriate prosecution of perpetrators.

The elimination of sexual exploitation of children is a daunting task, but one that is achievable if effective programs are put in place. Only when sexual exploitation of children is eliminated can we be able to say that the world's children are exercising their right to a healthy and peaceful life.

The author is an international medical consultant and co-winner of an Overseas Press Club of America award.