UN expert urges Philippines to focus on tackling sexual exploitation of children in tourism, too

Mama Fatima Singhateh, the United Nations Special Rapporter on the sale and sexual exploitation of children, speaks during a press conference in Makati, suburban Manila on December 8, 2022.

AFP / Ted Aljibe

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government should also focus on addressing the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism and consider establishing child-specific courts, an expert from the United Nations said Thursday.

Mama Fatima Singhateh, UN special rapporteur on sale and sexual exploitation of children, is in the Philippines to assess the situation and the progress made in combating the sale and sexual exploitation of children.

In a briefing, Singhateh said the government made improvements in addressing sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The Philippines, however, remains a source and destination country for child trafficking, sale, sexual abuse, forced marriage, and forced labor.

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/12/08/2229470/un-expert-urges-philippines-focus-tackling-sexual-exploitation-children-tourism-too