World Day Against Child Labor

June 12 is a special date on the international calendar. On this day, we celebrate World Day Against Child Labor. Unfortunately, in the modern world, the shameful phenomenon of child labor has not yet been eradicated. World Day Against Child Labor is not just a holiday; it is a special mission to draw the community’s attention to this issue and prevent its spread.

History

The history of this day began in 1997, when representatives of various international human rights organizations drew attention to the critical problem of child labor and called on the world to fight against it. Five years later, in 2002, the date was officially recognized, allowing people from different countries to unite in a single effort to eliminate all forms of child labor.

Every year, World Day Against Child Labor focuses on a theme that reflects the main directions and aspects of the problem. The organizers and all those involved strive to protect children from illegal labor by providing them with a decent education, recreation, social protection, and conditions for self-development.

Interesting Facts

• According to statistics, more than 218 million children are illegally employed around the world, with more than half forced to work in hazardous conditions.
• Since 2000, the number of children involved in labor has decreased by almost 95 million, but the reduction is still not fast enough.
• One of the UN’s goals is to eliminate child labor by 2025 in all its forms.
• One-fifth of the children illegally involved in labor are on the African continent.
• The exploitation of children is recognized as a form of slavery.
• Iqbal Masih, a Pakistani boy, is a symbol of World Day Against Child Labor. He detailed his experiences in captivity after being released and died under unclear circumstances.

How to Take Part

• Read the story of Iqbal Masih and join the charitable foundation established in his honor.
• Check out the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which guarantees protection from all forms of exploitation. The document consists of 54 articles, all devoted to the rights of minors.
• There are numerous films and programs online dedicated to the fight against child labor. Journalists explain how to prevent the spread of this terrible phenomenon worldwide.
• Participate in city or regional events held as part of World Day Against Child Labor.

When is World Day Against Child Labor in 2024?

World Day Against Child Labor is observed on June 12 each year.

Observations