More than 200 million children worldwide are working as child labourers and a staggering 115 million at least, are subject to its worst forms. As per the National Census 2011, there are close to 10.1 million child labourers in India, in the age group of 5 to 14 years.

There is an urgent need to put an end to child labour. With this objective in mind Child Rights & You is organising various campaigns against Child Labour.

Child labour in India, somehow, has become a social norm that we accept and tolerate in our society. This exploitative and abusive practice will continue unless society adopts a zero tolerance attitude towards it. Children continue to be exploited and abused because the State and people do not address children’s issues comprehensively and effectively.

India, to progress in the real sense needs to eradicate child labour in the following ways:

• Strict implementation of labour laws is essential in order to prevent exploitation of children
• Amendments are required in the present child labour prohibition law in order to implement strict measures to control the situation.
• The minimum working age of fourteen years needs to be increased to at least eighteen.
• The Government should take more firm measures towards abolition of child trafficking, elimination of poverty, free and compulsory education.
• Removing the vast gap between the rich and poor in India.

We, the people of India, are also responsible for its children. We cannot blame the state of the children of India on organizations, for you and I are equally to be blamed for their plight, for turning a blind eye is also a crime. So how can we elevate the condition for the children in India so that they can grow into healthy and educated citizens of the country?

• Let’s stop employing children in our homes as domestic help.
• Let’s fund the education of at least one poor child in our lifetime.
• Let’s inform the nearest NGO when we see child beggars at traffic signals or children employed in tea stalls and roadside eateries.

Every child, whether yours or mine, whether rich or poor, is the same. Then why is it that the poor children have to lose their children because of poverty. Let’s join hands. Let’s help the children of India. For in doing so, we will be helping the progress and development of the nation

We urge you to make a start by pledging to show your support against child labour and make it possible for children to be free to pursue their dreams.