KATHMANDU: Equal Access International (EAI) with support from Freedom Fund has announced the launch of a 6-month multimedia Social and Behaviour Change Communications (SBCC) campaign '18minus' to reduce the demand of minors in the Adult Entertainment Sector (AES).

As per the recent study conducted by The Freedom Fund in 2018, hundreds of girls below the age of 17 are working at AES venues in Kathmandu, with over 60% of them working in a sexually exploitative environment.

The '18minus' campaign recognizes the imminent need to tackle the commercial sexual exploitation of children at AES.

According to Binita Shrestha, Country Representative of EAI in Nepal, “the campaign aspires to raise awareness on the issue of commercial sexual exploitation of minors in Kathmandu, and humanize their challenges and issues through thought-provoking media and outreach, and prompt Nepali males to say NO to minors.”

The campaign will also engage and collaborate with Nepal Police, social influencers, celebrities, and networks/organisations working for the rights and well-being of minors in AES.