India’s Effective Strategies in Combating Child Labour

06/12/24

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The Government Of India has implemented a fight on many fronts in its offensive on child labour. It has made the most of legislative frameworks, such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act of 2016, which prohibits the employment of children under 14 years in any occupation and adolescents in hazardous occupations and processes. In addition, it has also leveraged its National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme, towards rehabilitating and integrating former child workers into society. In addition, the government has also made the most of its social welfare schemes that are aimed at reducing poverty and supporting access and relevance of education – viable pathways to the question of how to stop child labour. These two priorities are highly relevant for the prevention of child labour.

The data reveals that the government’s solutions for child labour have been fruitful. This impact has been due to the rigorous enforcement of laws and raising awareness about children’s rights. In addition, education has been made more attractive through initiatives like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. It has also been made more relevant with the government’s renewed emphasis on job-relevant skilling. As we appreciate the Indian government’s committed stance and the tangible progress achieved in prevention of child labour, we must now explore how we, as people, communities, and organisations, can contribute to making a tangible difference.

  Here are ‘10 ways to stop child labour, identified based on their relevance at the grassroots level.

1. Spreading awareness among parents and communities

Alert and aware parents and communities are likely to be more proactive in ensuring that children are not led to a path of labour.

2. Dialogue about the importance of child rights
Sensitisation efforts by NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Bal Raksha Bharat), through community events, sports, arts and theatre, are crucial to advocate for solutions of child labour.

3. Enabling communities to identify and tackle traffickers
Sensitisation efforts by the government and NGOs have enabled parents and communities to fend off the interest of traffickers proactively.

4. Highlighting growth opportunities that offer a better path

The many growth, education, employment and micro-entrepreneurship employments that are making their presence felt across the country are creating a healthy trajectory of growth for today’s children and tomorrow’s youth.

5. Creating new income and learning opportunities
NGOs are helping create new income resources, highlight educational resources, and help communities access information services to enable them to make better choices.

6. Encourage children to speak up
NGO Bal Raksha Bharat, in its engagement with children, has taught them the value of reporting and calling out child employment. As an effective solution for child labour, it empowers children to be agents of change.

7.  Support ethical businesses
Support businesses that use ethical sources of labour. This can be discerned via product labelling and media commentary on brands.

8. Donate to organisations engaged in child labour prevention
Trusted NGOs like Bal Raksha Bharat (Save the Children) are implementing many ways to eliminate child labour across the country in partnership with other civil society organisations and the Central and State Governments.

9. Support families in need
Helping mitigate the impacts of poverty at the individual level is one of the crucial ways to eliminate child labour because putting children to work is seen as a viable last resort.

10. Engage in advocacy on the citizen level
Plays, rallies, and social media campaigns are among the many platforms you can use to educate others on the issue and its harmful impact, as more voices can create more change.
 
A significant takeaway, as we review this list of 10 ways to stop child labour is that there is no singular solution for child labour; it is a truly multifaceted problem. We must keep in mind the many reasons for this issue to exist. Simply put, instead of asking ourselves, “How can we stop child labour?” we must explore viable alternatives that allow once-marginalised people and communities to grow and prosper. 

 Conclusion

Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Save the Children) has made significant strides in child protection. During the current strategy period from April 2022 till September 2024, the organisation extended its support to around 0.2 million children through various child protection initiatives. Over the past 15 years, their efforts have positively impacted over 10 million children. In the last one year from October 2023 to September 2024, they succeeded in reaching over 4.4 lacs children across 19 states and 3 Union Territories, underlining their broad and sustained commitment to child welfare.

BRB Admin