End Child Labor
Instead of attending school, many children perform dirty, dangerous work.
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Children make up more than 10 % of the workforce in some countries.
All children have certain basic Human Rights. Yet, millions of them will never learn to read or write, let alone acquire the computer skills to participate in modern society. Instead of attending school, their days are filled with dirty, dangerous work. The only lessons they learn are that life is cruel and unfair.
In many countries, child labor is the norm. Source: Pixabay
Currently, many children are exposed to violence, exploitation and abuse. They are threatened by conflict, poverty and climate change. In 2019, 33 million children were international migrants. Some children are particularly vulnerable due to gender, race, ethnic origin, religion, disabilities or socio-economic status.
Children are Dying Millions of children worldwide lead lives of misery and are exposed to many daily threats. According to UNICEF, every 7 minutes somewhere in the world, a child or young person is killed by an act of violence.
The map shows homicide rates for children 0-19 years old, country by country.
Homicide victims under 20 per 100 000 children of the same group. Source: viaGood
Regional Differences As can be seen on the map, there are huge regional differences. 1 in 5 children in Africa (19.6 %) are forced to work. In other regions, this numbers between 3 - 7 %: 2.9 % in Arab countries (1 in 35 children), 4.1 % in Europe and Central Asia (1 out of 25 children), 5.3 % in the Americas (1 out of 19 children) and 7.4 % in Asia and the Pacific region (1 out of 14 children).
The homicide rate in Latin America and Africa is much higher than the global average. This is totally unacceptable, but also totally preventable.
A child worker in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Source: Pexels
Did you know… Bangladesh has the highest rate of marriage involving girls under the age of 15 years?
Causes of Child Labor Poverty and discrimination are the main reasons for child labor. Children work in fields, quarries, factories, mines, and in selling goods in the street or at markets. Many child workers are not even paid for the work they do. If they are lucky, they will only receive food and a place to sleep. Naturally, these child laborers do not receive the necessary, or any, education.
Girls are more likely than boys to do domestic work (cleaning, cooking). For financial and/or traditional reasons, approx. 12 million girls worldwide under the age of 18 are married each year.
Afghani girl carrying goods. Source: Pixabay
Children make up more than 10 % of the workforce in some countries in the Middle East and from 2 - 10 % in much of Latin America and some parts of Asia. Approx. half of the 152 million victims of child labor in these countries are aged 5-11; 42 million (28 %) are aged 12-14; and 37 million (24 %) are aged 15-17. 62 % of all children in hazardous work are boys. Boys are at greater risk of being used in child labor than girls. This is partly due to the fact that girls have to work more in households.
Did you know… The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is a legally-binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of every child, regardless of race, religion or abilities.
According to the UNCRC, every child has the basic right to:
- Life, **survival **and development
- **Protection **from violence, abuse or neglect
- an education enabling the child to fulfil its potential
- be raised by, or have a relationship with his/her parents
- Express an opinion and be listened to. Any child whose rights have been violated can complain directly to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child.
In the world, 218 million children aged 5 to 17 years are in employment.
Due to child labor, children are deprived of their human rights, i.e. education, protection against violence and abuse. These cycles of poverty are repeated from generation to generation. Poverty, market demand, barriers to education, cultural practices and the inadequate enforcement of legislation to protect children are the main causes of the ongoing child labor practices.
Child labor should be a matter of the past. Source: Pixabay
Did you know… worldwide, 218 million children between 5 and 17 years are in employment** in fields, quarries, factories, mines, and elsewhere.**
Types of Child Labor Boys are most at risk of being exploited in child labor and hazardous work. However, this may also be a reflection of under-reported girls’ work, particularly in domestic work. Child labor is concentrated primarily in agriculture (71 %), services (17 %) and in the industrial sector (12 %).
Did you know that… there are approximately 70 million children worldwide aged 5-11 years who are victims of child labor?
Almost 50 % of child labor occurs (72 million) in Africa, 62 million in Asia Pacific, 11 million in the Americas, 1.2 million in the Arab states and 5.5 million in Europe and Central Asia. Poverty and discrimination are the main reasons.
Industries and children who work in them. Source: viaGood
Child Marriage This refers to any formal or informal marriage between a child under the age of 18 years and an adult or another child. Child marriage is often the result of gender inequality, so girls are disproportionately affected by the practice.
Did you know… Niger has the highest overall prevalence of child marriage in the world.
Many basic factors are the cause of child marriages or forced marriages. These are mainly financial or food necessities, and socio-cultural traditions. All child marriages are detrimental to children’s development and education, severely limiting their life opportunities.
Did you know… South Asia is home to 42 % of all child brides worldwide? India alone accounts for one-third of the global total of child marriages.
Why the situation is complicated The situation is hard to change, because children from impoverished families or single-parent homes often provide the essential income for their families. Sending such children to school would jeopardize the financial security and livelihood of the family. Girls are often forced into marriage against their will at a young age, for financial reasons and to support their families.
Nearly 15 million girls of primary school age will never have the opportunity to learn to read and write, compared to about 10 million boys.
In the sub-Saharan region, 11 million children leave school before completing their primary education. In South and West Asia, that number reaches almost 14 million. The problem is also caused by the demand in developed countries. For example, if you’ve recently purchased a soccer ball, clothes, chocolate … there’s a good chance that you’ve purchased something made by child labor.
Children sorting plastic waste in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Source: Pexels
It is essential to promote changes in legislation, policies, services and social norms. These would ensure children's protection and prepare them for a better future.
However, the necessary change must come from each of us. How can we do this? Read the “Solution” section!
Children, anywhere in the world, should enjoy a safe, happy childhood.
Children (under 18 years of age) must be protected against all forms of discrimination, abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation and have access to appropriate services. There are choices that each of us can make to improve conditions for children, to reduce our contribution to child labor, and to bring an end to their exploitation.
Child labor and all other forms of children’s exploitation are preventable! Children have the right to live in a safe and protective environment, free from violence, abuse and exploitation. Let’s create a world where child marriages and labor are a matter of the past!
How can YOU help? Raise awareness about child labor - share information with friends, family, co-workers, and others. Work together to increase your “voting” power. Give presentations to schools, religious communities, non-profit organizations, etc. to educate the public about the shocking facts of child labor around the world and to motivate positive action to combat it.
Contact retail stores, manufacturers and importers and ask them questions about the origins of their products. Let them know that you will only buy products that don’t involve child labor. Give them suggestions for ethical products and services they can offer instead.
Support education in developing countries to break the cycle of poverty. Education provides the prospects of a better future and encourages families to send children to school instead of out to work, or to be married at a young age.
**Appeal to local, regional, and national legislators. **Ask them to pass laws that ensure that no products in your city/state/country are made by child labor. Encourage them to adopt “codes of conduct” which include promoting humane and just practices.
Seek Fair Trade and sweatshop-free products whenever possible, to avoid consuming products made by children. Look for certified Fair Trade labels e.g. Fair Trade Certified, Fairtrade America, and the Goodweave label, to ensure that you’re supporting positive practices that don’t involve child labor.
Buy used items, or borrow, share, trade, make them yourself, to reduce the number of new products being produced by children.
Grow more of your own food, or buy from farmers’ markets, community-supported farms, and U-Pick farms, so as not to support the practices of forced child labor.
Contact government leaders, write letters to the heads of countries that permit any form of child slavery/forced labor and request that they enforce their laws against child labor, and increase educational opportunities for children.
