Child labor is a major problem plaguing our society even today. Children have full right to enjoy their childhood and achieve their full potential. However, child labor prevents the full development of a child and exploits them.
As well as being a danger to national economies, child labour and exploitation has serious short- and long-term effects on children, including depriving them of an education and jeopardising their physical and mental health.
What Is Child Labour?
Child labor is any work that deprives children of their childhood. Exploitative work that takes away a child’s potential and their dignity and is hazardous and harmful towards their physical and mental development falls under this category.
The term “child” as per the child labor (prohibition and regulation) Act 1986 is a person who is below the age of 14.
Statistics of Child Labour in India
There are 10.1 million child labourers in India, according to figures from the Census of 2011. There are 5.6 million boys and 4.5 million girls among them.
According to this census, India has 259.6 million children in the age range of 5 to 14 years. Of these, 10.1 million (3.9% of the total kid population) are “major workers” or “marginal workers.”
Causes of Child Labor
Many reasons contribute to child labour and exploitation. These include poverty and societal norms that support it. A lack of chances for adults and teenagers to find respectable job, migration, and emergencies also contribute to this.
Factors such as a lack of educational resources, social and economic backwardness, and a lack of supervision are all factors that contribute to child labour
Addiction, illness or handicap, the allure of low-wage work, and family obligations are also factors to consider. These elements not only contribute to societal injustices that are exacerbated by prejudice and inequalities, but they are also a result of them.
It is important that we recognize the rights of children and fight to change the world for better. To help every child get good health and education, join Fikrah and help our mission in ensuring equal rights to all.