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International Day Against Child Labour
International Day Against Child Labour 2560 1440 our civic space

International Day Against Child Labour

International Day Against Child Labour aims to raise awareness on the global extent of child labour and on the actions and efforts needed to eliminate it. According to the experts, the root causes of child labour are poverty, lack of quality education, limited access to decent work opportunities for those of legal working age, social marginalisation, discrimination, the prevalence of the informal economy, weak social dialogue, among others.

Children around the world are routinely engaged in paid and unpaid forms of work that are not harmful to them. However, child labour is described as such when children are either too young to work, or are involved in hazardous activities that may compromise their physical, mental, social or educational development.

The latest Global Estimates state that 152 million children – 64 million girls and 88 million boys – are involved in child labour globally [1]. In all regions, boys and girls are equally likely to be involved in child labour, however, gender inequalities are noticed in the types of activities carried out, with girls far more likely to be involved in unpaid household services.

COVID-19 impact on child labour
According to UNICEF [2], for the first time in two decades the number of children victims of child labour has risen and the current COVID-19 pandemic can potentially intensify the problem. The global interruption of education caused by confinement measures and the lack of distance-learning solutions/alternatives in many countries could drive the child labour numbers up.

What is ICDI doing about this?
Since mid-2019, ICDI has been managing Kinderpostzegels’ projects against child labour in Nicaragua and Guatemala. Together with our partner organisations, we are working to eradicate child labour by promoting education and strengthening local capacities to ensure the sustainability of so called Child Labour Free Zones (CLFZ).  These projects include recreational activities and events that aim to decrease school dropout and promote school enrollment, such as: football championships, children’s day festivals and art workshops. Besides promoting child and youth participation, these activities help raise awareness about the harmful consequences of child labour. You can read more about these projects here

[1] Global Estimates of Child Labour: https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/@dgreports/@dcomm/documents/publication/wcms_575541.pdf

[2] Unicef:
https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/child-labour-rises-160-million-first-increase-two-decades

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Stopping Bullying: ICDI gives children a voice
Stopping Bullying: ICDI gives children a voice 1024 576 our civic space

Stopping Bullying: ICDI gives children a voice

On the National Day against Bullying (on 19 April) attention is paid in the Netherlands to bullying in schools, sports clubs and other places where children come together.

In the Netherlands, approximately one out of ten children in primary school is bullied. Bullying is a painful experience and inevitably affects the complete development of children. From stress, anxiety, sleep problems to suicide attempts: the consequences can be very serious. Bullying in schools happens everywhere. Although children are always affected, their perspective is rarely present in anti-bullying programmes.

Therefore, in 2016, ICDI participated in a project that aimed to involve children in preventing bullying and in creating a safe environment at school in a participatory and empowering way. The project addressed bullying at many levels: individual, school and local community. Children, together with their teachers, as well as child-care workers and policy maker were targeted.

In a booklet the child perspective on bullying was presented. Children were asked to share their views, what they feel and think and what their fears and expectations are about safety at school. Together with the help of their teachers, a sustainable approach was created, applicable in the everyday work against school violence or, as children themselves said, “to have tools that we can fix with”.

Read the booklet here:  LISTEN! What children have to tell us about bullying and safety at school

Written by ICDI