Terre des Hommes Netherlands Launches Global Strategy to Combat Child Exploitation

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) has unveiled its ListenUp! Global Strategy, which aims to prevent and stop child exploitation by 2030. The initiative was launched during the ‘Better Together’ Africa Region Strategy event, which gathered key stakeholders, including government officials, policymakers, UN agencies, and children. The ListenUp! Strategy seeks to address the root causes of child exploitation, co-creating scalable, evidence-based solutions for long-term impact.

The launch highlighted alarming global statistics: 160 million children are exploited for labour, while over 300 million face online sexual exploitation and abuse annually. In sub-Saharan Africa, many children aged 5 to 17 are forced into labour, sacrificing education and childhood to support their families.

The strategy focuses on three key areas: Humanitarian Action, Sexual Exploitation of Children, and Child Labour. Innovative projects from Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia were showcased as examples of impactful solutions. TdH NL plans to engage in advocacy at all levels, empowering children to be part of the conversation.

Raphael Kariuki, Africa Regional Director of TdH NL, emphasised the importance of collaboration, stating, “We strongly believe that we are better together in preventing and stopping child exploitation.”

With the ListenUp! Strategy, Terre des Hommes Netherlands hopes to foster systematic change and create a future where children are free from exploitation.