Today, we are going to talk ‘bout a GLOBAL THREAT.
Not many of us might have been witnesses to this global threat. It’s shadowed, at times, not visible to us. As a teenager, just merely thinking about children and teens who are trapped in the clutches of this lethal, non-humane practice of child labor saddens me and sends chills down my spine.
Today, in the 21st century, every 1 of 10 children worldwide are subjected to child labor. Many of them are exposed to the risk of slavery and sexual/economic exploitation.
The prime and number one cause of this is poverty. Grave financial challenges faced by a family, loss of job, or sudden illnesses are quite widespread causes that contribute to the continuity of child labor. It is indeed a very staggering plight for the affected children. They get robbed of their childhood and the golden opportunity for a beautiful and successful life. In 2020, a good 160 million children were estimated to be engaged in this cruel reality, along with another additional 9 million owing to the dreary situation of COVID-19. A multitude of them work in hazardous situations, like firecracker industries. According to studies conducted by UNICEF, most of the migrant and refugee children are forced into work and are also trafficked, especially when they migrate alone or travel through illegal routes with family. In short, child labor is a global threat, that disrupts a child’s overall growth, i.e. , mentally, emotionally and physically. Especially for girls, the burden of school, work and household chores makes them really vulnerable to poverty and exclusion.
How does COVID-19 affect the practice of child labor drastically?
COVID-19 has become the culprit for the rise in child labor after 20 years of progress. ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder says “As the pandemic wreaks havoc on family incomes, without support, many could resort to child labor,” and if we think about it, this is alarming. This “viral” situation has also become a benefactor to poverty, and the immediate solution families turn to is to send their children to work. Evidence collected in reports by UNICEF and ILO suggests that child labor is flourishing as a multitude of schools around the world shut down. Pickneys are engaged into even more parlous work these days.
Rural areas, having been subjected to poverty, are the vulnerable insects in this spider’s web. Mines and firecracker industries are not the places for a happy childhood.
If this goes on, the future of our countries- the children and youth- will be threatened and can lead to dire consequences for future generations. It’s time to hunt for solutions.
I suggest that-
- Governmental policies to improve educational institutions and resources should be set up by the government.
- There should be more focus on improving the reach of education and healthcare services to the lowest sections of society, infected with poverty.
On that note, here are some projects already introduced by governments and international bodies around the globe to eradicate child labor-
Tamil Nadu, India-
UNICEF-
Indian Union Government-
The European Commission-
Let’s stand together. For the future. #SayNoToChildLabor!
P.S. Have a great new year ahead guys 😄💗!
