Child labour is a thief that robs children of their right to a simple, healthy, and happy childhood. Do your bit to banish child labour by making informed decisions and spreading awareness. Eradication of child labour starts with each one of us.
A) Begin with yourself
Take an oath never to employ a child to do any work for yourself; remind yourself that it is illegal to do so. Refrain from employing children to clean your house, take care of your children, do household chores, or wash your car. Employ poor adults, instead, who are in need of employment to sustain their families.
B) Consume consciously
Be it clothing, food, jewellery or any other product that you consume, ask the producers, retailers, manufacturers, and shopkeepers if their brand is devoid of child labour. Even though the supply chain has many segmented layers, and the seller may not be aware of the situation, your question has made him aware, and your conscious purchase agreeably helps the eradication of child labour.
C) Educate yourself about laws
Eradication of child labour also fastens when we are collectively aware of the laws laid down by the Indian Constitution to ensure its abolishment. This is one of the primary measures to prevent child labour in India, including exploiting children in any other form and ensuring offenders' prosecution.
D) Report abuse
When you see a case of child labour around you, you must immediately inform the police or call the Child Helpline at 1098 or reach out to NGOs in your area.
E) Speak to these children's parents
Most times, parents of child labourers work around them too, in the same vicinity. This offers you an opportunity to speak with them about the seriousness and implications of child labour in the long run - it's not the answer to eradicate poverty. Try counselling them and persuade them to send their child/children to school to hope for a better future.
One must also take the opportunity to speak with the employer and warn him against the legalities of employing children.
F) Volunteer
One of the best measures to prevent child labour in India is to volunteer with NGOs dedicated to eradicating child labour. Save the Children, India's leading independent child rights NGO, has been working tirelessly to provide a happy, healthy, and safe childhood to many underprivileged children. They have positively impacted and changed the lives of over 10.1 million children over the past decade, and continue to do so.
Do your bit to ensure that every child has a fulfilling childhood.
Volunteer with Save the Children today!