Can Technology Be Harnessed to Safeguard Children Against Sexual Exploitation in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Reflection on Malawi

Tools

Nkhoma, Pearson. 2023. 'Can Technology Be Harnessed to Safeguard Children Against Sexual Exploitation in Sub-Saharan Africa? A Reflection on Malawi'. In: Erasmus's Protect Project Conference. Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom 16 June 2023. [Conference or Workshop Item]

Preview

Text
160623 Harnessing the technology.pdf - Presentation
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.
Download (7MB) | Preview

Official URL: https://sites.gold.ac.uk/the-protect-project/about...

Abstract or Description

The paper explores the utilisation of technology in Malawi and other sub-Saharan African countries to protect children against sexual exploitation. It reports on the increasing number of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) cases in local media, with at least one case of child defilement being reported weekly. In understanding this distressing situation, the paper situates child sexual abuse in Malawi within the context of patriarchal trajectories through intersectionality, thereby partially expanding the children’s rights framework. Through this lens, and in an effort to safeguard children from the risk of exploitation, the paper investigates possible policy-level safeguards and examines how the widespread use of technology and social networks can be harnessed to protect children. It points out the scant attention given to leveraging technology for this purpose. Moreover, the paper underscores the limited focus of social media companies on protecting children in sub-Saharan Africa from issues such as child pornography and exploitation via social media. It proposes ways in which technology can be effectively used in countries like Malawi to offer further protection to children from exploitation by paedophiles and other sexual offenders.

Item Type:

Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Keywords:

Child Protection, Technology, Childhood, Intersectionality, Malawi, Child Sexual Abuse (CSA), Child Slavery, Patriarchy, Social Media

Related URLs: