Children in Cote d'Ivoire wave during a Graines de Paix programme. 

Why we like this piece

We are ten years from the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 16’s target to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children (16.2). While the field of violence prevention has made great strides in collecting data, most countries still lack baseline and trend data on violence against children-related indicators, and as a result, cannot assess the level of investment need to this critical SDG target.

Why we like this piece

This powerful systematic review uses rigorous methods to inform the very complicated, highly stigmatized and often hidden issue of sexual exploitation. It begins boldly: the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents (SECA) is a form of sexual abuse affecting the mental and physical health of millions of young people worldwide. SECA is a huge challenge for the field of violence prevention because it is under-reported; related, accurate prevalence figures remain unknown.

Why we like this piece

Adolescents in Tanzania face a myriad of challenges, such as school drop-out, early pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections including HIV, and violence, abuse and exploitation. Lack of economic opportunities further hinders adolescents’ safe transition to adulthood. Years of evidence have shown social protection in the form of cash transfers can positively influence youth well-being, but it is not sufficient to overcome the many inter-related risks associated with adolescence.