MAHIMA SASHANK
ADVOCACY
CAMPAIGNS
Catalysing systemic change
ENDING
VIOLENCE
AgaINST
CHILDREN
IN SOUTH ASIa
ADVOCACY
WITH ASEAN
CALL TO ACTION AGAINST
CHILD LABOUR IN SOUTHEAST ASIA
ABOUT
As part of Terre des Hommes’ advocacy agenda in Asia, I worked to influence ASEAN’s 2025 Roadmap to End the Worst Forms of Child Labour by bringing forward children’s perspectives. In partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), we convened a regional consultation with children from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines to gather their lived experiences and recommendations.
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I led the development of communication and advocacy materials that presented these recommendations to ASEAN, including a call-to-action publication and a series of co-created videos. Using child-designed avatars and storytelling, we highlighted children’s realities of child labour while amplifying their proposed solutions. While ASEAN has officially acknowledged and considered these inputs, further follow-up is needed to ensure they are meaningfully integrated into the roadmap. The ILO also adopted these materials as part of its World Day Against Child Labour campaign, extending their global reach.
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Note : The official 'call to action' advocacy materials submitted to ASEAN cannot be shared for privacy reasons.
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One of the videos in partnership with the ILO calling for the inclusion of children's voices in the fight against child labour
The ILO promoting the communication materials on their social channels
ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN SOUTH ASIA
ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST
CHILDREN IN SOUTH ASIA
ABOUT
Terre des Hommes’ advocacy agenda in South Asia focuses on influencing the SAARC Secretariat and related bodies to integrate children’s voices into regional policies and national action plans. Within this broader strategy, communication materials serve as critical advocacy tools with both SAARC and the South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC).
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I led two such initiatives: the co-creation of an animation film with a youth advocate, and the design of a position paper developed by children in Nepal outlining their recommendations to end online child sexual exploitation. As part of the ongoing advocacy process, milestones such as SAIEVAC’s sharing of these materials and their formal commitments are considered important indicators of progress toward policy influence.
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The animation video from the eyes of a youth advocate on a signed youth declaration at Thimphu calling leaders to end violence against children
A snapshot of the position paper drafted by children (designed by me)
presented to authorities of the Nepal government and SAIEVAC. Read the
full paper here.