June 12th, World Day Against Child Labour

World Day Against Child Labour is intended to serve as a catalyst for the growing worldwide movement against child labour. Emphasizing the link between social justice and child labour, the slogan for the World Day in 2023 is ‘Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!

Outreach awareness

Since 2000, for nearly two decades, the world had been making steady progress in reducing child labour. But over the past few years, conflicts, crises and the COVID-19 pandemic, have plunged more families into poverty – and forced millions more children into child labour. Economic growth has not been sufficient, nor inclusive enough, to relieve the pressure that too many families and communities feel and that makes them resort to child labour. Today, 160 million children are still engaged in child labour. That is almost one in ten children worldwide.
This day mainly focus on children development and it protects the right to education and dignified life for the children. Therefore, it is important to achieve the Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 as propagated by the UN. Several organizations, ILO etc. are making efforts to curb child labour. But we should also be responsible and take our duties to help in eliminating child labour. It is correctly said that the child that comes out of child labour comes to know his or her potential and self-worth. They began to enjoy life, human rights and live a dignified life. No doubt such children will also contribute to the economic and social growth of the country and also of the world.
Many childhood burdened by the pressure of circumstances at an age when they should have been playing with flowers and butterflies. Child labour is a social scourge that hampers children’s physical and mental development and completely violates children’s rights such as education, recreation, leisure and the opportunity to grow up in a happy family environment. Since 2002, the International Labor Organization (ILO) has observed June 12th as the World Day Against Child Labor to raise public awareness about the effects of child labour.

Thiruvananthapuram CHILDLINE organized an awareness program at Balaramapuram Government School to create awareness about the importance of eradicating child labour and promoting children’s rights to education, health and a safe and fulfilling childhood. Also the team conducted a joint drive with the police in the areas of families who are making statues of “Plaster of Paris”. The children were engaged in their family business and also attending the schools. But most of them are drop outs and helping the family full time. Team gave awareness about the education and socialisation to the children and public. Police also gave warning to the adults, to not sending the children to schools.