World Day against Child Labour

160 million … the number of children in child labour in the world, an estimated 63 million girls and 97 million boys. According to the International Labour organization, there are around 12.9 million Indian children engaged in work between the ages of 7 to 17 years.

- DR RESHAM SATYANI

“Every child deserves a chance to learn, to play, to dream, and to reach their full potential. We must work together to make this a reality for every child.” — Malala Yousafzai

World Day against Child Labour is observed on 12 June every year to raise awareness about the issue of child labour and promote efforts to eradicate it. The United Nations first declared this day in 2002, and since then, it has become an important day for advocates, organizations and governments to come together and address this critical issue.

The Reasons for Child Labour

Child labour is a complex issue with multiple causes.

Poverty is one of the leading causes of child labour, as families who live in poverty often rely on their children to work to supplement their income. Children who work are often exploited and paid very little or not at all, making it difficult for them to escape poverty.

Lack of access to education is also a significant factor, as children who do not attend school are more likely to be engaged in labour. In many cases, children work in hazardous conditions, putting their health and safety at risk.

In some cultures, it is customary for children to work at a young age, particularly in rural areas where children are expected to help with agricultural work.

Globalization has led to an increase in demand for cheap labour in industries such as textiles, agriculture and manufacturing. This demand has led to the exploitation of children in some parts of the world, as they are seen as a cheap source of labour.