The sexual exploitation of girls has become a major concern in Nosy Be, a tourist enclave in Madagascar, drawing more and more attention to a dark reality which is insidiously creeping into the enchanting landscape of the island. ™island. The statistics are alarming: in 2014, more than 48,000 pornographic videos involving children had already been recorded.
Ten years later, in 2023, the figures communicated by the anti-crime department of the National Police are clear: the number of pornographic content featuring minors has tripled. Thus, a sometimes ignored human tragedy, where young girls are trapped in a cycle of violence and exploitation, is confirmed.
The tourist attraction of Nosy Be, which should be an asset for the development and well-being of its inhabitants, is becoming an ambivalent reality. The beauty of the landscapes, the richness of the local culture and the hospitality of the Malagasy people attract thousands of visitors each year, but this wave of tourism also opens the door to reprehensible behavior. Exploitation networks were established, exploiting the economic vulnerability of local families and attracting predators.
Efforts to combat this scourge remain insufficient given the growing scale of the problem. Local authorities, together with non-governmental and international organizations, are trying to raise awareness among the population of the importance of protecting children and eradicating sexual exploitation. However, the battle is unequal in the face of a phenomenon deeply rooted in complex socio-economic dynamics.
The inhabitants of Nosy Be, shocked by this reality, are calling for widespread mobilization to preserve the future of their children. They demand stricter measures and strengthened cooperation between the tourists’ countries of origin and Madagascar to combat this insidious violence.
The sexual exploitation of girls must be a matter of concern not only in Nosy Be, but throughout the country. Voices are being raised to demand concrete and lasting actions, in order to guarantee the security and well-being of the most vulnerable. Because in this fight against child crime, every gesture counts, and every child deserves protection and dignity.