"School should be their only workplace."
Child labour - as everyone knows - is a prominent social evil that exists in the current world. According to census 2011, there were about 10 million children forced to do child labour in India and the worldwide statistics are no less grim, with around 25% of the slave population being children. This burgeoning number has increased to roughly 160 million worldwide as of 2020 and it’s threatening to increase further due to the impact of COVID-19.
International Labour Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund conducted research and concluded that the agricultural sector accounts for 70% of children in child labour, subsequently 20% in services and 10% in industry. They also found out that nearly 28% of children aged between 5-11 years and 35% of children aged between 12-14 years are dropping out of school which will have a debilitating effect on the socio-economic order of the world population in the coming times. Child labour not only affects the physical and psychological growth of a child but also impairs his ability to add value to society economically because of his inability to educate himself.
The unfortunate status of their families forces the children to eke out a living so that they can fend for their family. The importance of the child's basic education is neglected, bearing in mind that the parents are probably uneducated. It has a physical and psychological effect on the kid, which in some cases results in death. This can also lead to trafficking, where the child is subjected to violence, abuse, and sexual or economical exploitation, causing childhood trauma.
It’s indeed saddening to watch the formative years of a child’s life being shadowed by grey, gloomy clouds of labour when instead they should be exposed to the vibrant rays of education, relationships, compassion, warmth, and experiences. Kids should be spending time playing, interacting, honing skills, being nurtured, and getting their basic education as they are all very important for their fundamental development. Education is critical for one’s employment and the development of society. It bridges the gap between rich and poor and brings opportunities for a bright, successful future. Only with education can one add value and play a pivotal role in the upliftment of society, thereby bringing a promising future for the next generations. Children have the right to education, so why take it away?
Essential steps should be taken to protect children from exploitation. Underprivileged children should be given free education and healthcare. They should be taken care of by government or non-government organisations who should ensure their safety and security. We must abolish this evil practice by spreading awareness through social media platforms and encouraging others to donate to Non-Governmental Organizations taking care of these children. The government should take stringent measures against those who violate their rights and they should implement policies catering to the welfare of the underprivileged. The ones who were subjected to exploitation should be protected and be given physical and psychological therapy if required.
We have the potential and the means to make this happen. We must fight our best to protect children worldwide from the horrific atrocity of child labour. Only with your help can we make this happen.
Bibliography:
N.a. "Child labour rises to 160 million – first increase in two decades." Unicef.org. n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2022. <https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/child-labour-rises-160-million-first-increase-two-decades>
N.a. "Child labour and exploitation." Unicef.org. 16 Feb. 2022. Web. 18 Feb. 2022. <https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/child-labour-exploitation>
N.a. "Hazardous child labour (IPEC)." Ilo.org. 30 Nov. 2021. Web. 18 Feb. 2022. <https://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/WorstFormsofChildLabour/Hazardouschildlabour/lang--en/index.htm>
N.a. "Slavery Today « Free the Slaves." Freetheslaves.net. n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2022. <https://www.freetheslaves.net/slavery-today-2/slavery-today/>
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