PRESS RELEASE: “Punishing Children through Exploitation and Poverty”. Global Civil Society and Trade Unions Demand Urgent Action for a Child Labour Free Future as the 2025 SDG 8.7 Deadline Approaches Unfulfilled.
By: Global March Against Child Labour
Brussels,
20th March 2025
Brussels, 20-03-2025
Global civil society and trade union leaders,
As the world falls short of SDG 8.7’s 2025 target, the fight against child labour demands renewed urgency, bold commitments, and systemic change. This document presents the outcomes of a high-level strategy meeting convened by the Global March Against Child Labour, bringing civil society, trade unions, and key allies together
Acknowledging a community leader
Andrews Addoquaye Tagoe was awarded the 2023 National May Day Award for his remarkable efforts in combatting child labour and forced labour in Africa. Affectionately known as Andy among his close circle, this recognition acknowledges his tireless contribution to children’s rights including his involvement in rescuing
On June 17, Global March members from Central America organised a virtual meeting on quality and inclusive education in times of COVID-19. The CAMPAIGN x EDUCATION of the Global March in Central America was presented. This campaign as well as the discussions held during the event were based on a regional reflection on
Global March carried out a study to analyse the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on child labor and education, collecting information from each of the following seven South American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay and Peru*.
On June 9, Global March members from South America in collaboration with
A Child Protection and Development Unit was established at Jaffna Teaching Hospital by CCH. Through this help-desk, child abuse cases can be reported and children and women who are in distress can have their immediate needs met.
Under this project, a legal desk was also established for providing free legal
Nobel Peace Prize winner Kailash Satyarthi has been at the forefront of the global movement to end child slavery and exploitative child labour since 1980. Child labour is a human rights issue that has staggering effects on poverty, illiteracy and humanity. Mr. Satyarthi and the grassroots movement founded by him, Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement), have liberated more than 85,000+ children from exploitation and developed a successful model for their education and rehabilitation.
As a worldwide campaigner, he has been the architect of the single largest civil society network for the most exploited children, the Global March Against Child Labour, which is a worldwide coalition of NGOs, Teachers’ Unions and Trade Unions active in 103 countries. Mr. Satyarthi’s efforts led to the adoption of ILO Convention 182 on worst forms of child labour in 1999.
With 152 million child labourers and 40 million people in modern slavery, it has become imperative that the efforts are accelerated to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7.
Asia-Pacific region records the second highest prevalence of child labour in the world, with estimated 62 million children aged 5-14 years said to be working for their survival.
Africa has the largest number of child labourers; 72.1 million African children are estimated to be in child labour and 31.5 million in hazardous work.
Latin America region records the third highest prevalence of child labour in the world, with estimated 17.5 million children aged 5-14 years said to be working for their survival of which 11 million are in child labour
Child labour denies girls and boys their rights and often child labour may be involved in many supply chains such as in agriculture and fishing, manufacturing and mining, services..
The prevalence of gender-based violence and discrimination worldwide remains high...
