Country Profiles (Asia Region)

Bangladesh, a rapidly growing economy, is one of the most densely populated countries in Asia. The nation is home to 39.96 million children among whom 4.4% are engaged in child labour. Children are also extremely vulnerable to and affected by sexual exploitation in child marriage, child trafficking and online environments. 51.4% of girls aged between 20-24 were married before the age of 18, and children face sexual exploitation in conflict-prone areas and other vulnerable contexts. Around 59% of the children who use the internet in rural areas of Bangladesh have suffered at least one form of abuse in online spaces.

Thailand is a regional hub of Asia and a popular tourist destination. This makes way for large in-migration specifically involving children. As a result, children are vulnerable to trafficking, other forms of sexual exploitation and forced labour. Children living on the street are also exposed to substance abuse which often forces them into sex work. Online grooming by foreign tourists is another major child protection concern. Approximately 400,000 children aged 12-17 are affected by online sexual exploitation per year in Thailand.

Cambodia is one of the most socio-economically vulnerable countries in Southeast Asia. Children are at risk of sexual exploitation in travel and tourism, forced labour, child trafficking and unsafe migration. Children also face exploitation online where it is reported that 1 in every 10 children suffer online sexual abuse and exploitation in the country. There is a lack of awareness of online dangers, reporting mechanisms and positive parenting which increases the vulnerability of children and youth online. Exploitation is also faced by children in detention centres who conflict with the law.

40% of Nepal’s population is under the age of 18. The country is one of the most economically vulnerable nations in South Asia. 1.1 million children are found to be engaged in child labour. Children in Nepal are extremely vulnerable to sexual exploitation arising out of preventable unsafe migration, trafficking, child marriage and online sexual abuse and exploitation. Nepal currently ranks 94th out of 194 countries on the Global Cyber Security Index. Cases of online grooming by foreign tourists and live streaming of child sexual abuse material are major risks faced by children.

The Philippines, a nation comprising 7,641 islands is home to nearly 42 million children. The socio-economic vulnerabilities of the country place children at major risk of sexual exploitation, forced labour and child trafficking. The rate of online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) is alarming. 20% of children using the internet in the Philippines are reported to have faced online sexual abuse and exploitation. Children with diverse sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual characteristics (SOGIESC) are also highly vulnerable to OCSE. Close to 1.37 million are engaged in child labour with 61.9% working in agriculture.