Attachments
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – March 15, 2025 – Today the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF and Child Fund Ethiopia, celebrated Safer Internet Day, emphasizing the importance of a safe online environment for children. As part of the celebration, the Ministry officially launched two crucial documents: the National Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Training Manual and the Guideline for preventing and responding to online child exploitation.
Every day, children are exposed to Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OCSEA) facilitated through the internet or digital platforms. This issue has escalated with the rise of digital technology, providing perpetrators with new tools and methods to target vulnerable children. OCSEA includes various forms of exploitation, such as online grooming, the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material, live-streaming abuse, and online sexual exploitation through social media, games, and messaging platforms.
“The Ministry of Women and Social Affairs (MOWSA) is proud to announce its continued collaboration with various stakeholders to safeguard Ethiopian children from online child sexual exploitation and abuse. This collective effort aims to build a safer and more secure digital future for the next generation. The initiative, a partnership between families, teachers, communities, government bodies, and non-government organizations, focuses on promoting the responsible use of the internet by children and protecting them from online dangers” H.E. Hikma Keyredin, State Minister of Women and Social Affairs, expressed.
“UNICEF Ethiopia will continue to support the Government’s ongoing efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation and abuse, alongside the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. The coordination of the government at both national and regional levels, has helped us build the capacity of over 2,000 professionals, including social welfare workers and law enforcement officers. Furthermore, we have directly engaged with more than 22,000 children and over 14,000 parents and caregivers to educate them on online safety.” Jolanda Van Westering, Chief of Child protection said.
The Government has also partnered with social media platforms such as U-Report, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and Instagram to raise awareness and educate the public. Campaigns have reached millions, with nearly 2 million people reached across Facebook and Instagram, generating substantial engagement.
Links to documents:
For more information please contact:
UNICEF: Adam Sahilu, Communication Officer, UNICEF Ethiopia, asahilu@unicef.org, +251 980484516