STOP CHILD LABOUR

Child is a bundle of joys a flower incarnate in person. A flickering smile of the child pleases everyone. Childhood is the most important period of life, as it shapes adulthood. If one desires to know a nation, he should look for it into its children. Child is not only the future of the nation and its aspirations but also, and mainly, its strength in reserve. The future of nation is best insured if its children are healthy and active, educated and informed, disciplined and trained.

The word "Child Labour" can be seen as the synonym of "Employed child" or "Working child". In this sense it can be understand as the work done by child for Profit or Reward. But in realty Child Labour is used in a Derogatory sense. Which suggests something Hateful and Exploitative.

UNICEF defines Child Labour as work that exceeds a minimum number of hours, depending on the age of a child and on the type of work. Such work is considered harmful to the child and should therefore be eliminated.

• Ages 5-11: At least one hour of economic work or 28 hours of domestic work per week.
• Ages 12-14: At least 14 hours of economic work or 28 hours of domestic work per week.
• Ages 15-17: At least 43 hours of economic or domestic work per week. 

An estimated 158 million children aged 5-14 are engaged in child labour - one in six children in the world. Millions of children are engaged in hazardous situations or conditions, such as working in mines, working with chemicals and pesticides in agriculture or working with dangerous machinery. They are everywhere but invisible, toiling as domestic servants in homes, labouring behind the walls of workshops, hidden from view in plantations. Children living in the poorest households and in rural areas are most likely to be engaged in child labour. Those burdened with household chores are overwhelmingly girls. Millions of girls who work as domestic servants are especially vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. Labour often interferes with children's education.

Child Laborers  ( The Cheap commodity of India) 

The 1991 Census carried out by Government of India states that there are 11.28 million working children under the age of fourteen years in India. Advocacy groups suggest the real figure could be as high as 60 million.

Main reasons of child labour in India are :-

• Poverty
• Family debt
• Administrative attitude
• Easier and cheaper availability of child laborers
• Social mindset

Most child labour occur :-

Asia - 60%

Africa - 23%

South America - 8%

Child Rights :-

• The Right to Survival - to life, health, nutrition, name and nationality
• The Right to Development - to education, care, leisure, recreation
• The Right to Protection - from exploitation, abuse, neglect
• The Right to Participation - to expression, information, thought and religion

Our little efforts can change the scenario. We have to aware about these issues and help children to get their rights.