12 th June - World Day Against Child labour
When we say childhood things like laughter, fun, dreams, learning etc comes to our mind because this is what childhood is all about. Every child deserves to enjoy the carefree moments of their life, attending school yet there are millions of children out there who are deprived of these basic facilities and are forced to work .
The International Labour Organisation established 12th of June as World Day Against Child labour in 2002. Every year from then on, we celebrate this day to raise awareness about such an important issue.
The primary reason of child labour is Poverty . Families send their children to work so that they can earn some extra money needed for survival . lack of access to education, social inequality and economic hardship are other factors responsible for child labour .
As of 2024, the International Labour Organization and UNICEF estimate that about 138 million children aged 5 to 17 are in child labor globally, with around 54 million in hazardous work. Most of these children work in agriculture (approx. 61%), services ( around 27%), or industries (13%), with Sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected region. As of the latest estimates, around 10.1 million children aged 5 to 14 were recorded as working in India, based on the 2011 Census, though some newer estimates suggest about 4.35 million in that age group as of recent data.
As we all know Childhood is the most crucial stage in the overall development of human being and that’s why it is very essential to provide proper education ,security, nutritious meal and other amenities. When children are denied education, they lose opportunities to acquire skills and knowledge that could help them build a better future.
To combat child labour, India enacted the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which was strengthened through an amendment in 2016. The Act bans the employment of children under 14 years of age and restricts adolescents aged 14 to 18 from working in hazardous occupations, ensuring their right to education, safety, and healthy development. Other schemes like Sarv Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid Day Meal etc are also introduced to reduce child labour and motivate families to send their children to school.
The World Day Against Child Labour acts as the reminder that ending child labour is a social responsibility. Governments must enforce labour laws and ensure access to education and also Organizations and businesses should maintain ethical practices and prevent the exploitation of children . Communities and individuals can contribute by spreading awareness, supporting education initiatives, and reporting cases of child labour and exploitation.
As responsible citizens, we must remember that every child has the right to learn, grow, and dream. On this World Day Against Child Labour, let us renew our commitment to creating a world where no child is forced to work and every child can enjoy a safe, healthy, and fulfilling childhood.
A Child’s hand is meant to hold a pencil, not a brick.