Pakistan Needs

In August 1996 the First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was held in Stockholm, Sweden. At the congress 122 governments including Pakistan agreed to implement an Agenda for Action, as part of this, they also agreed to develop National Plans of Action. These plans are to coordinate and identify the actions needed in each country.

The National Youth Bureau, Bangkok, Thailand, with the collaboration of the ESCPAT International organized a Regional Consultation to discuss the Stockholm Agenda for Action against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children. The Workshop was held in Bangkok, Thailand from 28th to 30th August 2000.

The participants from Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Vietnam and Pakistan illustrated their country's situation, likely obstacles and their possible solutions. The workshop stressed on the Stockholm Agenda for Action against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, Emerging Issues, National Plans to Address the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children, Child Pornography, Child Prostitution and Child Trafficking for Sexual Purposes.

The workshop divulged that commercial sexual exploitation of children was a significant problem in Bangladesh; according to estimation several thousand Bangladeshi girls were trafficked out of the country each year. Child prostitution is also a notable problem in Bangladesh where researchers believed that around 29,000 children were in this business. In Indonesia about 30% of the estimated number of people working in the sex industry were thought to be children. Child Prostitution is believed to be widespread in the country and it is related with tourism. The commercial sexual exploitation of children is regarded as a growing phenomenon in Vietnam and child prostitution and trafficking are major issues.

The workshop informed that in Pakistan commercial sexual exploitation of children both male and female is increasing day by day. Children are common victims of sexual exploitation, which often occurs, in educational institutions, work situations and even in their own houses. Trafficking of children to the countries of Middle East is another menace in Pakistan. In Pakistan particularly the government functionaries very reluctantly acknowledge the problem of sexual abuse. However, prostitution, including child prostitution is illegal in the country.

It would be appropriate to mention that 122 countries at a World Congress adopted the Stockholm Agenda for Action in August 1996. Since than, over 40 countries have drafted a National Plan of Action to address the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of children. It is very deplorable that Pakistan hasn't developed any national plan of action.

The goal of 122 national action plans by 2000, as perceived by the participants of First World Congress, is still far away but the protection of children from commercial sexual exploitation must be an ongoing activity. Protecting children from exploitation is vital.

Hassan Raza Pasha, Interior Secretary government of Pakistan, Dr.Tafail Mohammad, Hassan Mangi, Khalid Naeem and Zia Ahmed Awan, President LHRLA, participated in the workshop and shared their ideas with the other participants.