Child Exploitation

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Most people have no idea how large the problem truly is.

ETHIOPIA

As Ethiopia is a very poor country, many children face abuse and exploitation. 52% of
children 5 - 17 are working (engaged in productive activities - excluding household chores),
of these the average work 33 hours per week. These children often do not have time to go
to school nor rest and play. Often the work is too difficult for them both physically and
psychologically. In urban areas, children living and working on the streets are an
ever-increasing number. These children are denied their rights to education, food, shelter
and protection. Besides this, they often face violence from other street children and adults.
Harmful tradition practices are widespread in Ethiopia. More than 73% of girls undergo
female genital mutilation. In many areas, early marriage and forced abduction are common
practices. As a result, girls have a difficult time during child birth, they are mothers too
young and can suffer severe health problems. This gender-based violence is common and
can result in children running away to the streets only to face worse abuse.
It is often vulnerable children, such as orphans and street children, who face abuse within
the legal system. Unfortunately, children who come into contact with the legal system rarely
receive fair and humane treatment because the judicial systems are weak and under
funded. As a result, children are locked in prisons with adults, detained for lengthy periods,
and interrogated harshly.