“The children of any Nation are its future. A country,movement,a person that doesn’t value its youth and children doesn’t deserve its future.” – Oliver Tambo
“The children of today will make the India of tomorrow. “- Jawahar Lal Nehru
As per the above given quotes given by renowned personalities children are the building blocks of future of any nation. Whatever values,skills,education we inculcate in them , that will be shape our future. But unfortunately this is not taken as serious as it is. Datas, reports show the ill being of large chunk of population of children who are engaged in child labour in one or the another form. They are not getting the opportunity to get education,nutrition,developmental environment and basic necessities to grow up well . This tells the underrated attention given to this issue. According to latest data given by United Nations’ report there are 160 million children are still engaged in child labour, i.e. 1 out of 10 children worldwide.
Another report of International Labour Organisation 10.1 million(3.9% of total child population) children are involved in child labour between age 5 to 14 in india which is a huge number. The number has declined in rural areas whereas it has increased in urban areas where they are engaged in menial jobs.Out of total child labour the children involved in hazardous activities like in chemical factories ,mining,brick kiln,other type of labour intensive industries like fabric industry,glass making industry which has hazardous effect on health shows the sad reality of today. These children are mostly pushed in labour works because of poverty ,need of cheap workforce. It is also accelerated due to COVID-19 pandemic ,huge number of dropouts from school.
Many initiatives are taken to undo the curse of child labour internationally as well as nationally. ILO and UNICEF are dedicated Organisations to fight against child labour.
World Child Labour Day observed on 12 June,2023 with objective to catalyse the movement against child labour. To link between social justice and child labour. Its theme – “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour!” with picture to remove the root causes of child labour and bring back these children to their better growth and developmental process.
In India governmental steps like
National Policy on Child Labour,1987.
Child Labour( Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act,2016.
Juvenile Justice(Care and Protection of Children)Amendment Act,2006.
Dedicated platform viz. pencil.gov.in to ensure effective enforcement of child labour and end child labour.
Institutional works like
Many NGOs – Bachpan Bachao Andolan, CARE India,Child Rights and You, RIDE india etc. are working significantly. Despite of these efforts the institutional gap and lack of seriousness,funds,collaboration of governmental officials with other private institutions fighting for the same is a major loophole to eradicate child labour completely. Much more on this road has to be to done to eliminate child labour like
- Spread awareness and tell parents and communities about its long term effect of their lives.
- Stakeholders must take responsibility like schemes,policy implementation must be done in effective manner.
- Regular audits datas,reports should be done to keep a vigilant eye to keep on track to mitigation.
- Increase access to education.
- Improve economic growth and support to children.
By proper follow up of all the legalisation, and steps given above we can soon lift the child labour curse . Let’s cherish these tender plants who are going to nuture the whole world and will give us fruits like growth, development, prosperity, better existence on the planet.
