Exploited - Teens Asia 2021 Portable
The landscape for adolescent exploitation in Asia in 2021 was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reversed decades of progress in child protection . In 2021, global child labor rose to 160 million—the first increase in 20 years—with the pandemic putting millions more at risk, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. Key Drivers of Exploitation in 2021
Economic Desperation:
Massive job losses and reduced family incomes pushed more children into extreme poverty, making them susceptible to traffickers offering money, gifts, or promises of a "better life". exploited teens asia 2021
Forms of Exploitation
The "Double Burden"
: Vulnerable teens in Southeast Asia often faced dual exploitation—working long hours in hazardous manual labor (such as agriculture or manufacturing) while also being targeted by online grooming or sextortion schemes. The landscape for adolescent exploitation in Asia in
Gendered Risks
: While all genders were affected, teenage girls remained at disproportionately high risk for early or forced marriage and domestic servitude, often marketed as a survival strategy for impoverished families during the height of the pandemic. Regional Responses The "Double Burden" : Vulnerable teens in Southeast
Consequences of Exploitation
- Cambodia: Cambodia has a significant problem with sex trafficking, with many teenagers being lured into prostitution.
- India: India has a large number of child laborers, with many teenagers working in hazardous conditions.
- Indonesia: Indonesia has a significant problem with online exploitation, with many teenagers being targeted by online predators.
- Philippines: The Philippines has a high rate of human trafficking, with many teenagers being forced into prostitution or labor.