Developments, progress, challenges and recommended strategies

Sub-Saharan Africa is experiencing rapid demographic and economic growth, leading to improvement in living standards for some. But a complex matrix of multidimensional factors – led by rising income inequality – leave large numbers of African children and youth vulnerable to the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC).

Rural poverty has spurred migration to cities that are largely unprepared for the influx, leaving migrants to continue living in poverty. The estimated 30 million children living on the streets of African cities and towns become targets for exploitation, along with large numbers of primary school drop-outs and children left parent-less and abandoned due to AIDS.  Combined with frequent outbreaks of armed conflict, environmental disasters and systematic discrimination against women and girls – and their subordinate status in society – these factors make African countries a perfect enabling environment for all forms of CSEC.