The Human Security Aspect of Trafficking on Female Children For the Purpose of Prostitution in Addis Ababa
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Date
2023-06
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Addis Ababa Unversity
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the underlying factors assumed in the trafficking of children for
prostitution and its consequential effect on their human security. A qualitative research method
was employed to identify the relation between the growing child trafficking for prostitution in
Addis Ababa from a human security aspect. The study mainly employed semi-structured
interviews and focus group discussion as the primary data collection tools. A semi-structured
interview was held among child victims selected based on a combination of purposive and
snowball sampling techniques. Furthermore, the interview was conducted with key informants
(Experts) from various stakeholder groups working on child rights issues. The study's findings
indicated that the social, economic, cultural, and some hidden factors make children susceptible
to trafficking. The factors of trafficking of children for prostitution may include Poverty/lack of
economic resources, orphan-hood, early marriages, domestic violence, and others. The study
also found that the abuse of a child forced into prostitution held negative consequences on the
health and social well-being of the survivors. The significant consequence of trafficking child
females for prostitution included Sexually Transmitted Disease, abortion, and childbirth. It also
has related challenges like physical pain and injuries, self-blame, low self-worth, fears and
worries, flashbacks, substance use, relationship problems, stigma, and discrimination, which all
have bad implications on the human security of a child. Regarding the legal framework, the
study found that Ethiopian law outlines a variety of offenses involving sexual acts with children
but falls short of protecting children from trafficking and prostitution. The study also found that
enforcement of current laws on child rights is weak. Finally, despite multiple efforts by various
bodies to protect children from sexual exploitation, it can be concluded that many of these
organizations' operations and efforts are not well-organized. In addition, there is a lack of
coordination between them, and duplication of efforts occurs on occasion. Therefore, the study
recommends that all relevant stakeholders work to protect the girls and ensure proper
rehabilitation of victims of child sexual exploitation. There is also a need and urgency to update
the operational capacity of law enforcers and other child welfare agencies tasked with the
responsibility of child rights and protection to address the negative consequence of child
trafficking for sexual exploitation.
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Keywords
child trafficking, child prostitutes, child sexual abuse, and human security