Ranjan K Baruah
Today, throughout the world, around 218 million children work, many full-time. They do not go to school and have little or no time to play. Africa ranks highest among regions both in the percentage of children in child labour — one-fifth — and the absolute number of children in child labour — 72 million. Asia and the Pacific ranks second highest in both these measures — 7% of all children and 62 million in absolute terms are in child labour in this region.
We should learn that not all work done by children should be classified as child labour that is to be targeted for elimination. Children’s or adolescents’ participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling, is generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays.
This year’s World Day against Child Labour has been celebrated with a “Week of Action against Child Labour”, marked from 3-12 June 2022. The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the day on 12th June in 2002 to focus attention on the global extent of child labour and the action and efforts needed to eliminate it. Child labour is a challenge for us and hence it brings opportunity to work to end child labour . One may choose to build their career in the field of children rights.
Courses which can be chosen by aspirants may be courses related to Social Work, Development Studies or other social sciences subjects. After having graduation and post graduation degrees one may choose to do special courses or training programmes focused on child welfare. Few certificate programmes include : Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice, Children’s Human Rights , Resilience in Children Exposed to Trauma, Disaster and War, Protecting Children in Humanitarian Settings, Child Protection for Teachers , Caring for Vulnerable Children . One may get a job in the government sector or development sector. United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) is one of the leading international organisations that works for the rights of children and issues related to children.
There are many programmes in India which are related to universal social protection. We have programmes like Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) which are aimed at enhancing the health, nutrition and learning opportunities of infants, young children (O-6 years) and their mothers; mid-day meal scheme to ensure no drop out, etc. Aspirants may get jobs in the government system. One of the popular posts working for the children is CDPO.CDPO stands for Child Development Project Officer and they work at the district level in different states.
CHILDLINE 1098 is a service of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. Childline India Foundation is a non-government organisation in India that operates a telephone helpline called Childline, for children in distress. There are job opportunities with the ministries too. One needs to be passionate and also have patience to work with the children. One may work to educate children or ensure the rights of the children. Employability skills are needed to be placed well and working with the children means we are ensuring a better future for our young citizens.
(Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and skill trainer and can be reached at 8473943734 or bkranjan@gmail.com)