“I have the opportunity to meet with the national Children and Youth Council” : Ice’s story
Meet Nattakan, a 24-year-old youth from Bangkok also known as Ice. With over a decade of experience in social work, Ice has been a tireless advocate for addressing critical issues facing Thailand's young population. Ice is a member of the Children and Youth Council in Thailand, the country’s largest youth network established by law in 2017. As a member, she advocates strongly for the allocation of a budget to address online child sexual exploitation (OCSE). Here’s her story.
Becoming a youth advocate
“In the beginning I was still a kid who admired my idols, my seniors, and wanted to do the same as them”, said Ice referring to work on social welfare. “I thought if there was no one who would do these activities; then there will be no one else but ‘us’”
Her journey began at the tender age of eleven, when she initially volunteered to emulate her seniors. However, a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by young people quickly emerged, inspiring her to become a youth advocate, “When I started doing activities, I felt that it is something we should develop, and find ways to solve these problems related to children and youth”, she said.
Her early work focused on preventing teenage pregnancies, fostering personal development, and combating corruption within schools. Recognising the need for a comprehensive approach, she received the support from her friends and students to conduct the sensitisation activities.
Advocacy with the Children and Youth Council
Three years ago, Ice began her journey with Thai Hotline, an implementing partner of Terre des Hommes Netherlands in Thailand. Realising the growing problem faced by children online, she expanded the focus of her work to include fighting against online child sexual exploitation (OCSE).
“Nowadays, the internet has quite an influence on young children. Since when they’re babies and when they cannot even walk yet, the parents use the mobile phone to raise their children,” she said also highlighting that the internet influences the thinking of the youth.
Ice believes that a complex interplay of factors, including poverty, family dynamics, societal norms, and the pervasive influence of the internet, contributes to the vulnerability of children to OCSE.
Concerned about the lack of attention given to OCSE in national policy discussions, Ice actively sought to raise awareness and drive change. Her involvement with the national Children and Youth Council has been instrumental in advocating for the inclusion of OCSE as a priority area.
“Every year, they (the council) normally discuss three areas of topics: Prevention of Teenage Pregnancy, Anti-Corruption, and the Abuse of Substances. But when it comes to the internet and online sexual exploitation, we are not driving itl,” says Ice.
As a member of National Children and Youth Council, Ice is now actively advocating with the provisional board of the council for the allocation of a budget to address online child sexual exploitation as part of the implementation of National Child and Youth Development Promotion Act in Thailand. This legislation encourages the participation of children and youth in decision-making processes, promoting their empowerment and active involvement in societal development.
“Through the training I learnt the technique of how to advise on issues”, said Ice referring to the youth advocate capacity building organised by Terre des Hommes Netherlands under the Down to Zero Alliance project to end sexual exploitation of children in Thailand.