World Day Against Child Labour On June 12

World Day Against Child Labour is observed on June 12th every year to raise awareness and promote action against child labour. The day was first observed in 2002 by the International Labour Organization (ILO) to bring attention to the plight of children who are forced to work. To this end, the ILO seeks to strengthen existing laws and regulations to ensure the safety of children from exploitation and to create a world in which all work done by children is voluntary and safe.

THEME FOR CHILD LABOUR DAY

The theme for World Day Against Child Labour 2021 is "Act Now: End Child Labour". As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the situation for vulnerable children has deteriorated, increasing their vulnerability to child labour. In this theme, we emphasize how urgent it is to take action to end child labour. Governments must increase efforts to ensure the protection of children from exploitation and abuse. Everyone must come together to protect children from child labour and ensure that all children can enjoy their childhood. Moreover, we must ensure that those who are already in child labour can access quality education and other necessary services.

The theme for 2023 is the Week Of Action Against Child Labour This will bring attention to the issue, raise awareness of the global problem, and help to create momentum for change. It is also a chance for governments, businesses, and civil society to come together to take action to end child labour and ensure that children can live a life free from exploitation.

PROBLEMS FACED BY THE CHILDREN

Child labour is a violation of children's rights and is a hindrance to their development. Many children are deprived of education, healthcare, and other basic needs because they are forced to work. They are often subjected to hazardous working conditions, long hours, and low pay. This not only affects the children's physical and mental health but also their social development. It also has a detrimental impact on their prospects, as they are unable to acquire the necessary skills and education to move up in life.

UNICEF INITIATIVES

UNICEF is working to end the practice of child labour. They are advocating for stronger laws and regulations to protect children from exploitation, and are providing access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs. They are also running campaigns to raise awareness about the dangers of child labour and how it can rob children of their childhoods. The global movement to end child labour began in 1938 with the Fair Labour Standards Act. For example, UNICEF's #EndChildLabour campaign, launched in 2020, calls on the global community to take action to protect children from exploitation and work together to create a world where every child is free to be a child.

FACTS

According to the ILO, there are still 152 million children globally who are engaged in child labour, with 72 million of them in hazardous work. The majority of these children are in Africa, followed by Asia and the Pacific. This is a worrying statistic, as child labour can have long-term physical and psychological consequences for children. It can also lead to child exploitation and prevent them from accessing education, which is vital for their future. Governments and organizations must take action to end child labour.

Children are especially vulnerable to exploitation, as they are unable to advocate for themselves. Due to the hard labour, they are subjected to and lack of access to education, they also face a greater risk of developing physical and mental health problems. To protect these children and ensure their safety and well-being, governments and organizations must take immediate action to end child labour.

GOVERNMENT ROLE IN CHILD LABOUR

Governments, employers, workers' organizations, civil society organizations, and individuals all have a role to play in ending child labour. It is important to address the root causes of child labour, such as poverty, lack of education, and discrimination. Collaboration is essential for effective action to end child labour. Governments should provide access to education, employment opportunities, and social protection programs to help families out of poverty. Employers should ensure their supply chains are free of child labour, and workers' organizations should advocate for better working conditions and protections for children. Individuals can also help by advocating for change in their communities and raising awareness. For example, individuals can support initiatives that use technology to identify and monitor cases of child labour, such as the International Labour Organization's Child Labour Platform.

CONCLUSION

On this World Day Against Child Labour, let us all commit to taking action to end child labour. We must work together to ensure that children are protected, educated, and allowed to reach their full potential. Let us act now to end child labour once and for all. We must invest in quality education and create decent work opportunities for adults and young people. We must also ensure that children are protected from all forms of exploitation and abuse and have access to physical and mental healthcare. Let's join forces to make sure that no child is left behind.

By: Swati Priya