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- June 13, 2025
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World Day Against Child Labour 2025: Ending Exploitation, Protecting Childhood
Every year on June 12, the world pauses to recognize one of the most pressing human rights issues of our time — child labour. The World Day Against Child Labour 2025, established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2002, is not just a symbolic date on the calendar. It’s a global reminder that millions of children are still being denied their right to a safe, happy, and nurturing childhood.
In 2025, the theme “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labour!” calls on governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals to go beyond words and take concrete steps to eliminate child labour — a pledge rooted in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7.
Child Labour: A Global Snapshot
Despite efforts over the years, child labour remains widespread. According to the ILO
and UNICEF:
●Over 160 million children are in child labour globally.
●Nearly 79 million of them are trapped in hazardous work—mining, agriculture with pesticide exposure, or dangerous construction sites.
●Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence, but no region is untouched.
These are not just statistics—they represent real lives of children who are denied education, exposed to abuse, and trapped in poverty cycles.
Child Labour in India: A Deep-Rooted Challenge
India is home to the largest number of children in the world — over 472 million — and a significant number of them are at risk. While the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016, prohibits children under 14 from working, implementation remains inconsistent.
Why does child labour persist in India?
●Poverty and illiteracy: When parents earn less, children are often sent to work to contribute to family income.
●Lack of access to quality education, especially in rural or marginalized communities.
●Cultural acceptance: In many regions, children working in family trades or small businesses is considered normal.
●Weak enforcement: Insufficient inspections and low conviction rates allow violations to continue unchecked.
Recent reports show that children are often found in industries like textiles, agriculture, fireworks, brick kilns, and domestic work, sometimes working in inhumane conditions.
Education vs. Exploitation
If there’s one tool that can effectively end child labour, it’s education. Quality education not only empowers children but also acts as a shield against exploitation. Unfortunately, many child labourers have never attended school or dropped out early.
India’s National Child Labour Project (NCLP) is one such effort that rescues child workers and places them in special schools with vocational training. But the success of such programs depends on awareness, funding, and active community involvement.
Real-Life Stories: From Labour to Liberation
The story of Kailash Satyarthi, Nobel Peace Laureate and founder of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement), serves as a beacon of hope. His organization has rescued over 1,00,000 children from forced labour, trafficking, and exploitation.
Another inspiring example is Iqbal Masih, a Pakistani child labourer turned activist who became a global voice against bonded child labour before his untimely death. His courage reminds us that children are not meant for work—they’re meant to dream.
The Role of Society: Everyone Has a Part to Play
Ending child labour isn’t just the government’s job — it’s a collective responsibility.
Governments must:
●Strengthen and enforce child protection laws.
●Allocate higher budgets for education and rehabilitation.
●Penalize industries and employers who engage in child labour.
Businesses should:
●Adopt child-labour-free supply chains.
●Audit vendors and ensure ethical sourcing.
●Support vocational training for youth in vulnerable areas.
NGOs and civil society must:
●Conduct grassroots awareness campaigns.
●Identify and report cases of child labour.
●Provide counselling and rehabilitation to affected children.
You, as an individual, can:
●Refuse to buy products made through exploitative labour.
●Educate your community about child rights.
●Report violations to authorities or childline services (1098 in India).
Observing the Day: Action Over Apathy
Marking World Day Against Child Labour can be meaningful:
●Organize awareness drives or school workshops.
●Partner with local NGOs to host rescue and rehabilitation campaigns.
●Use your social media to spread verified statistics and stories.
●Donate to organizations working to end child labour.
●Engage children in dialogue about their rights — start with your own home and neighbourhood.
This is more than just a commemorative day — it’s a moral checkpoint for our society.
Final Thoughts
Child labour is not a problem that will disappear on its own. It needs sustained effort, accountability, and empathy. As we reflect on the theme for 2025 — “Let’s Act on Our Commitments” — let us remember that every child removed from labour is a life saved, a future reclaimed.
Let this day ignite not just sympathy, but movement. Because childhood should be about school, play, dreams, and growth — not work, exploitation, or fear.