Every year June 12 is observed as the World Day Against Child Labour. This year the day is significant because of the global pandemic. In 2021, World Day Against Child Labour would be celebrated for a week, named ‘Week of Action’, which has been commenced from June 10, 2021.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) said, “Child labour reinforces intergenerational poverty, threatens national economies, and undercuts rights guaranteed by Convention on Rights of the Child.”
According to the data released by ILO, “The number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million worldwide – an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years.”
THEME of World Day Against Child Labour 2021:
The theme for World Day Against Child Labour this year is – “Act now: End Child Labour”. The world has witnessed such an increase in child labour, the first time in two decades. The global pandemic is responsible for this vulnerable condition.
According to the report by ILO and UNICEF on global trends and estimates, the cases of child labour have witnessed a downward trend between 2000 and 2016, it saw a fall of 94 percent.
SIGNIFICANCE of World Day Against Child Labour:
Children are the future of any country, this group is responsible for the growth and development of any nation. Child Labour is an obstacle in this growth. Child labour holds a child back and is responsible for the fallout of many social and economic factors like – poverty, migration, lack of decent job opportunities and many more.
Child Labour leads to inequities and discrimination, says ILO. Therefore, a day must be dedicated to such a sensitive topic. This day focuses on creating awareness about this social practice.
The day focuses to inform people about the right to education for all children. This day highlights that every child must go to school regardless of caste, creed, race and economic status.
HISTORY of World Day Against Child Labour:
In 2002, the International Labour Organisation of the United Nations decided June 12 as the World Day Against Child Labour. This day was established so that people can understand the bad side of child labour. It highlights the fact that child labour is illegal, and morally and ethically wrong.
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QUOTES related to Child Labour:
“You can’t regulate child labour. You can’t regulate slavery. Some things are just wrong” – Michael Moore
“Child slavery is a crime against humanity. Humanity itself is at stake here. A lot of work remains, but I will see the end of child labour in my lifetime” - Kailash Satyarthi
“Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man” - Rabindranath Tagore
“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Safety and security don’t just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear” - Nelson Mandela