SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN SEA FARERS: THE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THE LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Sexual abuse against women seafarers or travelers on the high seas has recently remained a grave concern due to its phenomenal increase. This paper examined an essential and complex part of international human rights law that prohibits all forms of sexual abuse against women at all times. Driven primarily by efforts to curb the menace of sexual abuse against women seafarers or those on board a ship, international human rights law ensured that women are always protected. This body of law provides the basis for protecting and enforcing this right. The paper adopts doctrinal research methods and utilizes extant international and regional regulations and other relevant enabling laws in the analysis. Besides, it considers appropriate measures for dealing with and overcoming human rights abuse. In conclusion, it notes that it is necessary to find new ways of improving the implementation measures of the existing laws at the domestic and international levels.