ARC Becomes The First Proud Maldivian Member Of ECPAT International

Local non-governmental organization with a mission to protect and promote the rights and well-being of the children of Maldives, Advocating the Rights of Children (ARC), on Monday, delightfully shared that they have become the first Maldivian member of ECPAT International.

Founded in 1990, ECPAT International, is the largest international civil society network working to end sexual exploitation of children. Presently, the network consists of 121 members in 103 countries collectively working to eliminate sexual exploitation of children for prostitution, trafficking, online and in the travel and tourism sector. ARC’s membership at ECPAT International is extremely meaningful as is has created a new avenue to expand the network’s work into one of the few remaining countries in South Asia at which there is no ECPAT presence. Through this partnership, ARC is anticipating to benefit from the ECPAT’s experience, expertise and resource hub in its efforts to counter child sexual exploitation in the Maldives with plans to expand its advocacy efforts at national, regional and global level.

The membership comes at a critical period of time where increased risk factors for sexual exploitation of children such as high internet penetration rate, expanding guesthouse tourism and remoteness of the islands have been observed, locally.

In addition to being a ECPAT member, ARC is also a member of the National Action Coordination Group on Violence Against Children (NACG) and International Coalition to Ratify OP3 CRC. 

Photos: ARC Maldives