Nov 18th declared as child sexual abuse prevention day

KABUL (Pajhwok): The UN General Assembly has declared November 18 every year as World Day for prevention of child sexual abuse and healing from child sexual exploitation, abuse and violence.

On November 7^th, the UNGA approved a resolution establishing Nov 18^th as day to spotlight the sexual exploitation and abuse of children, The Washington Post reported.

The day will also be used to stress the need for prevention, for perpetrators to be brought to justice, and for victims to be given a voice as part of the long process of healing, the world body emphasizes.

The resolution, which was sponsored by Sierra Leone and Nigeria and co-sponsored by more than 110 countries, was adopted by consensus and a bang of the gavel by the assembly’s acting president, which was greeted with loud applause.

Sierra Leone’s first lady, Fatima Maada Bio, who introduced the resolution, called child sexual abuse a “heinous crime” that especially affects girls who are at greater risk of experiencing forced sex and exploitation.

It calls on the 193 UN member nations, international organisations, world leaders, civil society, non-governmental groups, faith leaders, academic institutions and private businesses to commemorate the day “in a manner that each considers most appropriate.”

The assembly suggested educating the public about the impact of sexual abuse on children, the need to prevent exploitation online and offline, and holding perpetrators accountable.

It said survivors should have access to justice and to “open discussion on the need to prevent and eliminate their stigmatisation, promote their healing, affirm their dignity and protect their rights.”

Bio welcomed the resolution’s wide support, telling reporters after the vote, “I think the whole world is standing in solidarity to say enough is enough.”

She said November 18 will not be a day of celebration but a reminder to the world that the “scourge” of child sexual abuse is happening and to give the victims voices “so they know they’re not in this on their own.”

According to the reports, sexual abuse of children is somehow present in every society, and children in Afghanistan are also facing this challenge on a large scale.

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