World Day Against Child Labor 2024: Theme, History, Significance, Data and Proportions

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World Day Against Child Labor is celebrated on June 12, 2024. This year we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the event. It was adopted in 1999. Every year on June 12, the International Labor Organization (ILO) collaborates with partners around the world to celebrate World Day Against Child Labor. This year, the focus is on the 25th anniversary of ILO Convention No. 182 on the worst forms of child labor, the first ILO Convention to be ratified globally in 2020. The day highlights the importance of ratify and implement ILO Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age for Employment. Despite past progress, recent setbacks require a unified effort to end child labor in all its forms.

Global increase in child labor

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For nearly two decades since 2000, the world has made steady progress in reducing child labor. However, recent conflicts, crises and the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed many families into poverty, pushing millions more children into child labor. Economic growth has not been inclusive enough to alleviate the pressures families face, forcing them to resort to child labor. Today, 160 million children are still engaged in child labor, accounting for nearly 1 in 10 children worldwide.

Regional statistics on child labor

Africa has the highest rate of child labor, accounting for one-fifth of all children, a total of 72 million children. Next is Asia and the Pacific with 7% of children, or 62 million. Together, these regions account for nearly nine out of every ten children in child labor globally. The Americas have 11 million working children, Europe and Central Asia have 6 million and the Arab countries have 1 million. While low-income countries have the highest rates, middle-income countries have more children in absolute terms, with 84 million children in child labor, accounting for 56% of the global child population. .

2024 theme: End child labor now!

This year’s World Day Against Child Labor, on June 12, 2024, focuses on the theme “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labor!” This day commemorates the 25th anniversary of the Worst Forms of Child Labor Convention (1999, No. 182). It also calls on everyone to improve the implementation of two important Child Labor Conventions: Convention No. 182 and Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Employment. Despite progress, recent setbacks highlight the urgent need for solidarity and action to eliminate child labor.

History of World Day Against Child Labor

The International Labor Organization (ILO) established World Day Against Child Labor on 12 June 2002, at its headquarters in Geneva. This initiative aims to draw regular attention to the problem of child labor and revise strategies to eliminate it. Since its inception, the day has brought together diverse stakeholders to address and combat child labor. The United Nations General Assembly recognized the seriousness of child labor and declared 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labor, and called on the ILO to lead its implementation. Over the years, this celebration has played a pivotal role in mobilizing efforts to end child labor globally.

Child labor rate

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Around the world, children often engage in work that does not harm them. However, children are considered child laborers when they are too young to work or engage in dangerous activities that may harm their physical, mental, social or educational development. children. In the least developed countries, more than a quarter of children between the ages of 5 and 17 are involved in such disadvantageous work. Africa has the highest rate and amount of child labor, with one in five children, or 72 million, in child labor. It is followed by Asia and the Pacific, with 7% of all children, for a total of 62 million.

Call for action to end child labor

With Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, the global community commits to ending child labor in all its forms by 2025. This World Day calls for effective action to implement ILO Convention No. 182 and renew efforts at every level to address the root causes of child labor. It also emphasizes the importance of ratification and global implementation of ILO Convention No. 138. Together, these measures aim to provide all children with legal protection against child labor children and make the elimination of child labor a reality.

What Data Is Showing About Child Labor?

152 million children aged 5-17 are working, of which 73 million are working in dangerous conditions.
Distribution by age: 48% from 5-11 years old, 28% from 12-14 years old and 24% from 15-17 years old.
Industry concentration:
Agriculture: 71% (including fishing, forestry, livestock and aquaculture)
Services: 17%
Industry: 12% (including mining)

Significance of World Day Against Child Labor

World Day Against Child Labor, observed on June 12 each year, plays an important role in highlighting the global problem of child labor. The day aims to promote and expand the call to end child labor, drawing attention to the millions of children deprived of education, health and basic freedoms. Governments, local authorities, civil society and international organizations work together to address this issue. They work to provide guidance and strategies to support child labor and ensure their rights are protected. Through united efforts, the global community strives to eliminate child labor in all its forms and bring a better future to children.

Accelerate action to end child labor

With the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, the global community commits to ending child labor by 2025. Governments around the world have ratified key ILO Conventions and are working to implement them. those Conventions. The Durban Call to Action from the 2022 Global Conference provides a clear roadmap. Now is the time to accelerate efforts and make the eradication of child labor a reality. Let’s join hands to protect every child’s right to a safe and healthy childhood.

Conclusion: Economic and regional impacts of child labor

Together, Africa, Asia and the Pacific account for nearly nine out of every ten child workers worldwide. The remaining child laborers are distributed in the Americas (11 million), Europe and Central Asia (6 million) and Arab countries (1 million). In the Americas, 5% of children are in child labor, while in Europe and Central Asia the figure is 4% and in Arab countries it is 3%. Although low-income countries have the highest rates of child labor, middle-income countries have higher numbers of child workers, with 84 million children, 56% of the global total, and an additional 2 million children in high-income countries.

Source: https://anhngunewlight.edu.vn
Category: Blog