Durban - The School of Law, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), in partnership with Terre des Hommes, Netherlands, will be hosting a series of webinars on the sexual exploitation of children (SEC) as one of the worst forms of child labour (WFCL).
While the International Labour Organisation (ILO) recognises SEC as WFCL, there is little focus and discussion on this issue.
The first webinar, to be held on Friday, will include sharing relevant information on child labour and SEC as a form of WFCL.
The webinar is strategically held as a side event during the 5th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Durban until on Friday.
The webinar provides a multicultural and multidisciplinary platform for participants to share their thoughts about the gaps in the ILO Conventions and domestic legal frameworks as state responses to SEC and the implementation on the ground in four countries (India, Kenya, the Philippines and South Africa) with a message to bring SEC more firmly on to the agenda.
The four academic staff members from the School of Law, UKZN, presenting at the webinar are:
• Rowena Bernard, an admitted attorney and lecturer with expertise in child law and labour laws.
• Advocate Victoria Balogun, a lecturer with expertise in sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, and human trafficking.
• Olobalake Ogunwande, a PhD candidate at the School of Law, who brings her research interest in labour law and children’s affairs in the African context to the discussion on SEC.
• Magdalene Wanza, country manager of Td H in Kenya, who will present on the reintroduction of SEC as a WFCL.
In addition, the webinar seeks to promote the participation of several youth advocates from India, Kenya and the Philippines who were affected by SEC as children.
These youth advocates, by experience, have dealt with the trauma of sexual exploitation or related activities directly or indirectly and are empowered to act as youth advocates.
They are supported by partner organisations in the three countries, including the Network for Adolescent and Youth of Africa, Society for Networking, Empowerment & Holistic Action, and the Bidlisiw Foundation.
Bernard said these academic staff members were from the Navi Pillay Research Group and the Children’s Rights Research Interest Group within the School of Law, UKZN.
Daily News