Is The Country Free?

Malala Yosufzai clearly says in one of her speeches that in India, innocent and poor children are the victims of child labor and it is TRUE!!

Despite so many campaigns and strict laws by government nothing is happening on serious note. So, today I want to share my personal experience on this issue. Few years back, I visited my grandparent’s house to spend my winter vacations and on the second day of my stay I saw a girl about 7-8 years old washing utensils and I was shocked. When I asked about my grandparents about this, they said " These children are prone to such situation and their parents work in factory so they send their children to earn some meager amount that may provide them better living. And if we fire them in the sake of humanity then they would in another household making no difference, so why not we do the same."

There has always been guilt inside me that I couldn't change their perspective but through my article I want to create a change.

Children were engaged in so-called 'unconditional' worst forms of child labor, which include forced and bonded labor, the use of children in armed conflict, trafficking in children and commercial sexual exploitation.

Child labor includes manufacturing, mining, quarrying, construction, domestic service and general service such as in retail, restaurants and hotels.

Poverty is widely considered the top reason that children work in jobs that are exploitative and inappropriate for their ages. But there are other reasons as well. In no particular order:

1.family expectations and traditions

2.abuse of the child

3.lack of good schools and day care

4.lack of other services, such as healthcare

5.public opinion that downplays the risk of early work for children

6.uncaring attitude of employers

7.limited choices for women

The parents of child laborers are often unemployed or underemployed, desperate for secure employment and income. Yet it is their children - more powerless and paid less - who are offered the jobs.

In order to fairly and adequately meet the needs of this growing workforce and not rely on child labor, a few things must be prioritized, namely:

1.increased family incomes

2.education — that helps children learn skills that will help them earn a living

3.social services — that help children and families survive crises, such as disease, or loss of home and shelter

4.Family control of fertility — so that families are not burdened by children.

"Every child saved is like a country saved from bondage"