Governments worldwide have ratified ILO Conventions on child labor and pledged their implementation. Each June 12, the International Labour Organization (ILO) collaborates with partners globally to commemorate the 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, which achieved universal ratification in 2020. This milestone reaffirms the global commitment to eliminating the worst forms of child labor, including slavery, trafficking, and hazardous work.
However, much work remains. The World Day serves as a reminder to member states to ratify Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment. Governments must also improve the implementation of both fundamental ILO Conventions.
The Durban Call to Action, adopted at the fifth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labor in 2022, outlines the way forward. It is time to assess the progress and challenges in eliminating child labor, aiming to promote universal ratification of Convention No. 138. The urgency to address child labor has never been clearer. The international community’s commitment to eliminating child labor by 2025, outlined in Sustainable Development Goal target 8.7, remains vital.
In Zimbabwe, the commemoration of the World Day Against Child Labor highlights the nation’s specific challenges and the urgent need for action. Zimbabwe must strengthen the enforcement of legislative frameworks, particularly in the informal sector. Improving access to education by investing in infrastructure, resources, and teacher training is crucial. Social protection programs targeting vulnerable families are needed to address the root causes of child labor, such as poverty and unemployment.
Unicef has warned that without urgent action, the gaps in education funding would be catastrophic for a generation of students and the continent’s future economic growth. Increased investment in education correlates with better learning outcomes and inclusive teaching. It also boosts girls’ participation in education, which is crucial for building human capital and fostering prosperity.
In Harare, activists and officials gathered to discuss the progress made and the road ahead. The Minister of Labor emphasized that while Zimbabwe has strong policy and legislative frameworks, rigorous monitoring and enforcement are needed. The informal sector remains a significant challenge, with many children working in hazardous conditions. The government is urged to allocate more resources to law enforcement and social services to protect children from exploitation.
In rural areas, schools struggle with inadequate infrastructure and resources. Teachers, often underpaid and overworked, face difficulties in delivering quality education. The government’s investment in education needs to increase to ensure that every child has access to a safe and nurturing learning environment. Programs like the Basic Education Assistance Module and the school feeding program have shown promise in improving school attendance and retention rates. However, these initiatives require sustained support and expansion.
Child labor deprives children of their childhood, education, and future prospects, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and exploitation. Children involved in hazardous work face physical and psychological harm, including injuries, illnesses, and trauma. Besides being deprived of education, these children are denied opportunities to break free from the cycle of poverty, perpetuating intergenerational deprivation.
The urgency to address child labor has never been clearer. The international community’s commitment to eliminating child labor by 2025, outlined in Sustainable Development Goal target 8.7, remains vital. While progress has been made in reducing child labor, recent trends have reversed, pushing more children into exploitative labor.
Eradicating child labor requires a multi-faceted approach involving governments, businesses, civil society, and communities. Governments play a pivotal role in enacting and enforcing laws to protect children and guarantee their right to education. Strengthening legal frameworks and allocating adequate resources for law enforcement and social services are crucial steps.
Businesses, key actors in global supply chains, must ensure their operations do not contribute to child labor. Ethical business practices, thorough due diligence, and sustainable sourcing are essential for creating child-labor-free supply chains. Civil society organizations, including NGOs, trade unions, and community groups, advocate for policy reforms, raise awareness, and support vulnerable children and families. Grassroots initiatives address the root causes of child labor and empower communities.
Communities must challenge cultural norms that perpetuate child labor and create supportive environments for children’s well-being. During the World Day Against Child Labor in Zimbabwe, specific challenges within the country must be addressed. Zimbabwe must strengthen enforcement of legislative frameworks, particularly in the informal sector. Improving access to education by investing in infrastructure, resources, and teacher training is crucial. Social protection programs targeting vulnerable families are needed to address the root causes of child labor, such as poverty and unemployment.
Promoting awareness and advocacy is vital. Nationwide campaigns can educate communities, parents, and employers about the harmful effects of child labor and the importance of protecting children’s rights. Strengthening child protection systems to identify, prevent, and respond to cases of child labor effectively is essential. Empowering children to seek help and access resources is crucial for their recovery and reintegration into society. Engaging stakeholders through collective effort is key to achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 8.7. Collaboration among government agencies, employers, trade unions, civil society organizations, and international partners is necessary.
Addressing gender-specific aspects of child labor and involving children in efforts to eliminate it is both ethical and effective. Education and awareness programs in schools and communities can inform children about their rights and the consequences of child labor. Encouraging children to express their thoughts and experiences can raise awareness and mobilize support.
Supporting sustainable livelihoods for parents and caregivers can reduce reliance on child labor. Skills development, vocational training, and access to microfinance and entrepreneurship programs are vital. By implementing these recommendations, Zimbabwe can make significant strides toward ending child labor. As the world commemorates World Day Against Child Labor, we must reaffirm our commitment to protecting children’s rights. Every child has the right to education, safety, and a childhood free from exploitation. By investing in education, social protection, and sustainable development, we can create an environment where children thrive.
The Minister of Labor also called on businesses to adopt ethical practices. Companies must ensure that their supply chains are free from child labor. This involves conducting thorough checks and supporting sustainable sourcing practices. Ethical business practices are crucial for creating a child-labor-free environment. Businesses must take responsibility for ensuring their operations do not contribute to child labor.
Civil society organizations, including NGOs and trade unions, play a critical role. They advocate for policy reforms, raise awareness, and provide support to vulnerable children and their families. Grassroots initiatives are particularly effective in addressing the root causes of child labor. Community-based interventions empower vulnerable communities and help create supportive environments for children.
Communities must also challenge cultural norms that perpetuate child labor. Creating supportive environments for children’s well-being is crucial. During the commemoration of World Day Against Child Labor, specific challenges and contexts within Zimbabwe must be addressed.
Promoting awareness and advocacy is vital. Nationwide campaigns can educate communities, parents, and employers about the harmful effects of child labor and the importance of protecting children’s rights. Strengthening child protection systems to identify, prevent, and respond to cases of child labor effectively is essential.
Empowering children to seek help and access resources is crucial for their recovery and reintegration into society. Engaging stakeholders through collective effort is key to achieving Sustainable Development Goal target 8.7. Collaboration among government agencies, employers, trade unions, civil society organizations, and international partners is necessary.
Addressing gender-specific aspects of child labor and involving children in efforts to eliminate it is both ethical and effective. Education and awareness programs in schools and communities can inform children about their rights and the consequences of child labor. Encouraging children to express their thoughts and experiences can raise awareness and mobilize support.
Supporting sustainable livelihoods for parents and caregivers can reduce reliance on child labor. Skills development, vocational training, and access to microfinance and entrepreneurship programs are vital. By implementing these recommendations, Zimbabwe can make significant strides toward ending child labor.
As the world commemorates World Day Against Child Labor, we must reaffirm commitment to protecting children’s rights. Every child has the right to education, safety, and a childhood free from exploitation. By investing in education, social protection, and sustainable development, we can create an environment where children thrive.
Let us work toward a future where no child is forced to sacrifice their childhood for economic survival. Through collaboration and intensified efforts, we can realize a child-labor-free society. Now is the time to make this vision a reality.
As Zimbabwe takes steps to address child labor, the global community must also act. Every stakeholder has a role to play in creating a world where children can grow up free from exploitation. By working together, we can end child labor and build a brighter future for all children.
Source: Newsday
