Coming forward and uniting against child labour crucial to address the issue

The latest report 'Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, Trends and the Road Forward' by ILO and UNICEF suggests 160 million children aged 5-17 years – were in child labour globally at the beginning of 2020. A further 8.9 million children will be in child labour by the end of 2022 as a result of rising poverty driven by the pandemic.

The report warns that global progress against child labour has stalled since 2016 and more efforts are needed to meet the SDG target to end child labour in all its forms by 2025. Without accelerated action, the report projects that close to 140 million children will be in child labour in 2025, and 125 million in 2030.

Civil Society and Non-Profit organisations (NGOs) can play a vital role in eliminating child labour, by reaching out to the last mile child and families. The organisations can also help government to deliver the social protection schemes to the marginalised children.

In 2020, Child Rights and You prevented or referred close to 4000 cases of child labour for rescue and support in its intervention areas across states.

However, there is a long way to go to free the country from child labour. It is possible when all individuals/citizens come forward and join hands to address the issue.