CURRENT AFFAIRS
CURRENT AFFAIRS
Description
Observed annually on June 12, the World Day Against Child Labour is a significant international initiative aimed at raising awareness and accelerating efforts to eliminate all forms of child labour. It serves as a powerful reminder of the global responsibility to ensure that every child enjoys their fundamental right to a safe, nurturing, and education-rich childhood free from the burden of labour.
Background And Historical Significance
The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the World Day Against Child Labour in 2002 to spotlight the global extent of child exploitation and to promote initiatives aimed at its elimination. Over the past two decades, the day has grown in scope and impact, uniting governments, civil society, workers’ and employers’ organizations, and millions of individuals worldwide.
2025 marks the 21st anniversary of this observance, making it a critical milestone for reflection and renewed action.
Theme For 2025:
“Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!”
This year’s theme highlights the positive strides made in combating child labour globally, yet it underscores the need to intensify the pace and scale of interventions. Despite progress, the goal of eradicating child labour remains elusive, particularly in regions heavily burdened by poverty, conflict, and limited access to education.
Global And National Child Labour Statistics
Worldwide Data (2024)
An estimated 138 million children are still involved in child labour.
Of these, 54 million are engaged in hazardous forms of work that threaten their health, safety, or morals.
Africa has the highest number of affected children (72 million), followed by Asia and the Pacific with 62 million.
India's Status
According to the 2011 Census, around 10.1 million children (aged 5-14) were involved in some form of work—either as full-time (“main workers”) or part-time (“marginal workers”).
This is an improvement from the 12.6 million recorded in the 2001 Census, reflecting progress but also indicating that the issue remains deeply rooted.
Major causes include poverty, lack of access to quality education, socio-economic vulnerabilities, and weak enforcement of existing laws.
National And Global Efforts To Combat Child Labour
India’s Initiatives:
India adopted a National Policy on Child Labour in 1987, which focuses on:
Rehabilitation of child labourers through special schools providing education, vocational training, and health services.
Preventive strategies, including poverty alleviation and adult employment programs.
Legislative tools like the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, later amended to prohibit employment of children under 14 in all occupations.
Global Frameworks:
The ILO’s Convention No. 182 on the Worst Forms of Child Labour and Convention No. 138 on Minimum Age have been ratified by most countries.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include Target 8.7, which aims to eliminate child labour in all its forms by 2025. However, global trends suggest this target may not be achieved unless efforts are significantly amplified.
Way Forward
Eliminating child labour demands a multi-pronged approach:
Expanding access to quality education
Strengthening social protection systems
Promoting decent work for adults to reduce the economic pressure on children to work
Ensuring strict enforcement of laws and regulations against child exploitation
Enhancing international cooperation and funding for grassroots programs
Conclusion
The World Day Against Child Labour 2025 is a clarion call to accelerate global action. While notable progress has been made, millions of children still suffer from the harsh realities of labour. It is a collective duty of governments, communities, educators, and citizens to build a future where every child is in a classroom, not at a worksite.
Welcome to Notopedia.com, your free learning platform that caters to the diverse needs of students and aspirants across a spectrum of entrance exams and educational endeavors. Whether you're preparing for highly anticipated exams like CAT, NEET, JEE Main, or bank job vacancies, our platform offers a wealth of resources to guide you towards success. Stay up-to-date with the latest exam dates, announcements, and results for various government recruitment exams, including SSC CGL, CHSL, NDA, and UPSC. Explore comprehensive study materials, sample papers, and exam patterns to hone your skills and boost your confidence. From important dates like CBSE Class 10 and 12 date sheets to exam-specific information like JEE Main application form date, we cover it all. Notopedia.com is your go-to source for everything from admissions and admit cards to scholarships and college information. Whether you're aiming for a career in defense, government, banking, or higher education, our free learning platform equips you with the knowledge and resources you need to excel. Join us in your educational journey and unlock a world of opportunities, guidance, and comprehensive support.
For more Updates and Information - Visit Notopedia's Bulletin Board
For Latest Sarkari Jobs - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Jobs Section
For access to more than 20,000 Colleges - Visit Notopedia's College Section
For School Studies and Exams Preparation across 14 Boards - Visit Notopedia's School Section
For Comprehensive Preparation of Sarkari Job Exams - Visit Notopedia's Sarkari Exams Section
