Every year, June 12 is observed as World Day Against Child Labour, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about the plight of millions of children who are forced into work, often in hazardous and exploitative conditions. This day serves not only as a reminder of the persistent problem of child labour but also as a call to action for governments, civil society and individuals to reaffirm their commitment to eliminating this grave injustice. While strides have been made over the years, child labour continues to be a harsh reality in many parts of the world, robbing children of their basic rights, education, health and most importantly, their childhood.

Child labour is defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, potential and dignity. It refers to work that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children. It interferes with their schooling, either by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school, obliging them to leave school prematurely or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work. Across the globe, an estimated 160 million children are engaged in child labour, according to the International Labour Organization, and nearly half of them are involved in hazardous work. These are not just statistics, these are real children with dreams and potential, who are forced to sacrifice their future for the harsh demands of survival.

The roots of child labour are deeply embedded in poverty, lack of access to quality education, economic disparity and social norms that tolerate or even encourage the practice. In many families struggling to make ends meet, children are seen as an additional source of income. In rural areas, they may be employed in agriculture, often in backbreaking and dangerous tasks. In urban settings, they might be seen working in roadside stalls, domestic households, small workshops or even in construction sites. In some cases, children are trafficked and forced into begging, prostitution or bonded labour, a modern form of slavery that chains entire families to a cycle of debt and exploitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the situation by pushing more families into poverty and leading to school closures worldwide. Many children who were on the path to education and empowerment found themselves being pulled back into the vicious cycle of labour. The long-term impact of this reversal could be devastating, as it threatens to undo years of progress in the fight against child labour.

One of the fundamental rights of every child is the right to education. Education is not just a way out of poverty, it is a powerful tool for empowering children and enabling them to live dignified lives. Yet, for millions of working children, school remains a distant dream. The absence of education perpetuates the cycle of poverty and exploitation, making it harder for them to break free from the clutches of child labour. On Anti-Child Labour Day, it is crucial to highlight the intrinsic link between education and the eradication of child labour. Universal access to free, quality education must be at the heart of every strategy to combat this social evil.

Legislation exists in many countries to prohibit child labour and protect children from exploitation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which has been ratified by nearly every country in the world, lays down comprehensive rights for children, including the right to be protected from economic exploitation and from performing any work that is likely to be hazardous or interfere with their education or development. Additionally, international conventions such as the ILO’s Minimum Age Convention (No. 138) and the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182) serve as critical legal tools in the global effort to end child labour. However, the mere presence of laws is not enough. Implementation remains weak in many countries due to corruption, lack of enforcement mechanisms, or sheer apathy.

On this day, governments are urged to strengthen their legislative frameworks, ensure stricter enforcement and increase investment in social protection schemes. Social welfare programs, such as conditional cash transfers, can incentivize families to send their children to school instead of work. Furthermore, employment generation and income support for adults can reduce the economic pressure that often forces families to depend on their children’s earnings. It is equally important to create awareness in communities, so that cultural acceptance of child labour can be challenged and replaced with a culture that values education and childhood.

The role of civil society and non-governmental organizations is paramount in this fight. Numerous grassroots organizations have been instrumental in rescuing children from exploitative conditions, rehabilitating them and reintegrating them into mainstream society through education and vocational training. Campaigns such as “Bachpan Bachao Andolan” in India, led by Nobel laureate Kailash Satyarthi, have brought international attention to the issue and have helped liberate thousands of children from forced labour. Such initiatives prove that change is possible, but they require support from all corners government, media, private sector and the public.

The private sector, particularly industries where child labour is prevalent, has a moral and legal responsibility to ensure that their supply chains are free from child exploitation. Companies must adopt ethical labour practices, conduct regular audits and collaborate with local communities to provide alternatives for children and their families. Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives can play a vital role in funding education, health care and skill development programs for vulnerable children. Consumers, too hold power. By choosing products that are certified to be child-labour-free, people can push companies to uphold ethical standards and contribute to the global movement against child labour.

Awareness is the first step toward change. Anti-Child Labour Day serves as an opportunity to educate people about the signs of child labour and how they can intervene. Teachers, doctors, shopkeepers and ordinary citizens often encounter child labourers in their daily lives. If empowered with the right information, they can play a pivotal role in reporting such cases and ensuring that children receive the protection and support they need. Community vigilance and solidarity are essential to make neighbourhoods and workplaces child-labour-free zones.

In many parts of the world, children have taken to the streets on this day to demand their rights, raise their voices and tell their stories. Their courage is both inspiring and heart-wrenching. It reminds us that the victims of child labour are not faceless numbers they are real children with hopes, aspirations and an indomitable spirit. Their stories must be heard, amplified and acted upon. Empowering children to speak for themselves and to participate in decisions that affect their lives is a critical aspect of addressing child labour sustainably.

Ending child labour is not just a legal or economic challenge, it is a moral imperative. It requires a shift in the way societies value children. Children are not tools for economic gain, they are the future the bearers of tomorrow’s promise. A society that allows its children to suffer and toil instead of learning and playing is one that is fundamentally failing. By investing in children, we are investing in a more just, equitable and prosperous future for all.

The road to a world free of child labour is long and complex, but it is not impossible. It demands global solidarity, shared responsibility and unflinching commitment. On Anti-Child Labour Day, let us renew our resolve to protect the innocence of childhood and ensure that no child is left behind. The message is clear: childhood is for learning, dreaming and growing not for working in fields, factories or households. Every child deserves a chance to be a child.

Let this day be a reminder not of what remains to be done, but of what can be achieved when hearts and minds unite for a cause so pure, so fundamental and so urgent. A child out of labour and into school is not just a victory for that child it is a victory for humanity.