In order to raise awareness of the dire state of children who work , the International Labour Organisation established the first World Day Against Child Labour in 2002. The goal of World Day against child labour 2023, which is observed on June 12th, is to motivate the expanding global campaign against child labour. The theme for the 2023 World Day is “Action Week Against Child Labor” highlighting the relationship between social justice and child labour.
What is Child Labour in simple words?
Child labour refers to the employment of young people in any type of job that interferes with their physical and mental growth and denies them access to the fundamental recreational and educational opportunities they deserve. A considerable number of kids are forced to labour in a variety of dangerous and non-hazardous jobs including domestic labour, small-scale manufacturing and the agricultural sector. Unfortunately, for some kids who struggle to make ends meet during their childhood years, it is not true that childhood is the best time of one’s life.
Factors affecting Child Labour
The prevalence of child labour is influenced by a variety of factors:
• The problem of child labour is significantly impacted by poverty. Children in low-income families are considered a source of income. They increase their family size because they think every child can support the family financially.
• On the other hand, illiteracy makes it challenging for many people to comprehend the value of education. People who lack literacy perceive education as an advantage of the privileged in society. As a result, they won’t give children any kind of support so that they can attend school and lay the foundation for their success in the future.
• In addition to these factors, other factors such as unemployment, conflict and migration also largely contribute to child labour.
Child Labour Facts and How to Help
Nearly one in four children between the ages of 5 and 17 who live in the least developed nations, labour in dangerous environments that are detrimental to their health and development.
According to the UN, 28% of victims are 12–14 years old, 24% are 15–17 years old, and 48% of victims are minors aged 7–11 years. This rate is so concerning that we ought to all step forward and put a stop to it.According to the 2011 Census, there are 259.6 million children in India who are between the ages of 5 and 14. 10.1 million of them (or 3.9% of all children) are employed, either as “main workers” or “marginal workers.” In India, more than 42.7 million kids do not attend school.
The grave problem of child labour can be addressed by raising public awareness and enacting government action. NGOs are essential in helping to end child labour in society and provide children with an encouraging future. Wishes and Blessings, a Delhi based NGO, recognises the terrible situation that society’s impoverished kids suffer. Their many projects are centred on ensuring that these kids receive an education and on giving them the right nutrition for their bodies to grow and develop. Over 300 children are receiving educational help from the organisation through the Sponsor a Childhood Programme.
The organisation fully meets all of their educational needs.The organisation additionally runs the Street to School Programme, a daycare facility for children in need. The centres are administered by competent teachers who educate the students to a variety of co-curricular activities, such as art and craft, dancing, poetry and painting, in addition to supporting their academic needs. The goal of this project is to prepare kids for school and enroll them in public schools. The teachers work really hard to support and welcome school dropouts into the classroom while also providing them wholesome meals to aid in their educational journey.
Aarambh, a notion of open pathshala is the third programme that the organisation runs. This programme provides kids from remote areas of Jharkhand and Delhi slums with the opportunity to receive an education beneath the open sky. These children come from extremely poor families and are unable to attend school for a variety of reasons including the distance to the school, their financial situation and the lack of parental support. The programme allows over 100 children to explore the light of education.
Wishes & Blessings’ endeavour to stop child labour and create a brighter future has been effective for the past nine years due to the contributions of generous donors. Every person should act to stop this heinous crime known as child labour as a responsible citizen of the nation. A small step taken by oneself or by supporting programmes aimed at eradicating child labour would ensure that the country has a better and brighter future.
FAQ’S
- 1. When is World Day Against Child Labour 2023 observed?
- • 12th June
- 2. What is the theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2023?
- • “Action Week Against Child Labor” is the theme of World Day Against Child Labour 2023.
- 3. Name a organization that work towards ending Child Labour?
- • Wishes and Blessings
- 4. How can you contribute towards the ending child labour?
- • Call: 011 4912 3746 or Donate
About the Author
Dhriti Pal is the Skills and Outreach Manager at Wishes and Blessings. She firmly believes that humanity and a humanitarian approach can make the world a better place to live in.