child-labor

What is World Day Against Child Labor?

Marked on June 12th, World Day Against Child Labor is a key occasion to disseminate awareness of the harms and dangers of child labor. This is in order to advocate for the freedom, equality, and liberty of children around the world. On this day, numerous campaigns and initiatives are organized in order to raise support for children and families who are wrought by child labor.

What constitutes Child Labor?

According to the International Labor Organization, any labor that impedes a child’s schooling and harms them physically, mentally, socially, or morally counts as child labor. If it deprives a child of their childhood, potential, and dignity, it is child labor.

History of Child Labor

Child labor has always existed in various forms throughout ancient and medieval history. However, in our modern history, child labor is said to have peaked in the late 1700’s, during the Industrial Revolution. The child workers, who primarily worked in agriculture, began expanding to the up-and-coming industries which were crammed with dangerous, heavy machinery. This was no easy task; the children would often work on empty stomachs for 9+ hours, bruising and even losing fingers and limbs, all to provide for their impoverished families. This hardship ensued until the 1900’s, when the efforts to end child labor finally began to bear fruit.

Progress to end Child Labor

In 1904, in the U.S.A, the National Child Labor Committee was founded, with the primary mission of ending child labor as it harmed the education, health, and happiness of children. Even the period of first wave feminism in Europe had a focus on this mission, as women intended on using their vote to end the suffering of children. With the use of photography, articles, and more, many advocated for the rights and liberties of children. While many of these efforts eventually paved the way for the abolition of legal child labor in many western countries, many developing countries across the world still have children working — that too in cruel conditions.

Child Labor Across the World

It is important to note that while historical records tend to focus more on issues in eurocentric countries such as England and the U.S.A, this issue of child labor was and still is a worldwide crisis. As child labor arose in the West, it spread like a plague to the numerous British and American colonies across Africa, South America, and Asia. For instance, in the cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Ghana, it is estimated that around 1.56 million children are involved in severe child labor. In Bangalore and other cities across India, children can be seen digging graveyards and taking on grueling physical work in order to put food on the table. 

Dangers of Child Labor

“Innocence should be respected, looked after, nourished and protected.” – Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi

Evidently, it is the countries that suffer from poverty that also suffer from increased child labor. For families in dire need of money, their children can be the saving source of income. However, for a child to take on such tasks that harm them, deny them the right to a healthy and happy childhood, and above all, take away their innocence, is truly horrific, as it is abhorrent. The most appalling fact of it all, is that this is such a widespread and extensive problem. Since 2020, it is estimated that around 1 in 10 children worldwide are involved in rigorous child labor. If anything, now is the time to act. If measures are not taken to end this insidious form of torture, the innocence of the world will be in danger. 

How to End Child Labor

For any problem, the goal of spreading awareness is to inspire or urge progress to end any such problem. The same goes for child labor. While it is crucial to spread awareness, the next step should be taking action to end child labor. A positive means of action is to encourage government action/regulation for companies and corporations that take advantage of child workers to manufacture their products. There are a shocking amount of goods that are produced by child labor or forced labor. Government inquiry could lead to the abolition of such unlawful forms of manufacturing employed by these companies on a national level. Additionally, supporting a registered organization or initiative aimed at ending child labor can go a long way, whether it’s via donations or promotion on social media. 

Another positive step to take is to support children’s education and schooling. Most children involved in child labor are simultaneously denied their right to education. This is because being in school will effectively hinder and thus, protect them from work. Therefore, education is a key tool to protecting children from labor and, as such, should be encouraged. 

UNESCO BMW’s Involvement 

UNESCO Body and Mind Wellness Club is actively involved with the youth and is proactively working towards building a safe space for the youth to express themselves. In fact, a survey conducted amongst regular participants of our program revealed that around 61% of our participants are in the age group of 14-24. A key part of our founding mission is to raise a new generation of peacemakers and this is only possible with youth engagement. We collaborate and partner with many universities and youth organizations to fulfill this goal. Additionally, we host talking circles and youth meditation programs to facilitate an environment and culture of peace for the youth that will empower them. 

UNESCO BMW’s Vision

Our vision is to share and preserve the cultural and artistic heritage from around the world along with facilitating respect for Mother Earth all of which is supported by inner peace through meditation with free mentoring. UNESCO BMW is entirely nonprofit and aims to promote inner peace practices, encouragements of arts and crafts as well as protection of the ecosystem. Support us by donating and becoming a member of the organization, or by registering as a volunteer. 

  • By Kriti 

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