june 12 is observed as the World Day against Child Labor. The day was launched by International Labor Organization (ILO) in 2002 so as to divert attentions on the imperative issue of child labor throughout the world and emphasize actions and efforts to eliminate this menace. Every year on this day the governments, NGOs, civil society organizations and media get active to highlight the plight of the child labors and encourage governments and international organizations to take steps in this regard.

According to ILO there are around 215 million children around the world who are child labors. They mostly work full time and do not get the opportunity to get education or play games and have some entertainment. They work in an inappropriate environment and are vulnerable to ill-treatment, crimes, violence, drug addiction and trafficking, and sexual abuse. Many of them do not get proper nutrition and medication. In short, they do not get the chance to live like children and have proper nourishment that can support them in becoming an active and positive member of the society.  

World Day against Child Labor this year emphasizes on education to all children. It calls for;

•                     Free, compulsory and quality education for all children at least to the minimum age for admission to employment and action to reach those presently in child labor;

•                     New efforts to ensure that national policies on child labor and education are consistent and effective;

•                     Policies that ensure access to quality education and investment in the teaching profession.

Access to quality and free education can support the societies in combating the menace of child labor to a large extent. Therefore, the governments around the world must make sure to guarantee free education to as many children as possible so that they do not fall in the quagmire of child labor.

Afghanistan is one of the countries that have been suffering from economic instability and poverty to a large extent; therefore, many children fall victim to child labor, here. According to a rough calculation around 6 million children in Afghanistan into child labor and they are supporting their families economically instead of going to school.

These children are not able to have access to education, either because of the financial problems or the traditional hatred of the parents for modern schooling system. The girls in this regard suffer even to more extreme levels. Moreover, the children who do not get a chance to be admitted in school are then sent out for labor so that they can prove to be a helping hand for their parents and in the process they are left at the mercy of the social evils.

Child labors are exposed to crimes and maltreatment to a risky extent, especially the ones who are employed by shop-owners, mechanics and small firms. They are even put to violent treatment by their employers on pity matters. Further, another concerning factor regarding the plight of the children in Afghanistan is the growing number of child beggars.

Families, stricken with intense poverty, do not hesitate even to send their children for begging. Apart from that, there are professional beggars who utilize the helpless children for the begging purposes. The children are even abducted for the same purpose. The phenomenon of violence against children is multifaceted. It involves recruitment of children by armed forces and armed groups.

The involvement of armed forces in this regard is really embarrassing. The recruitment that is carried out by militant groups is mostly for the purpose of carrying out suicide attacks through them, who because of their immaturity or because of the intense pressure do not understand the incentive of their actions.

There have been many incidents of suicide attacks in different parts of the country, wherein the attacker were below 16 years of age. Apart from that the children are also welcomed by the militant groups with the intention to have a cadre that they can train in accordance to their own will, within their training camps.

It is important that the menace of child labor should be tackled before it is too late. However, the situation does not seem to be getting well as the poverty seems to be strengthening its root in the country and the government is not doing enough to curb the situation. According to a statement by the president of All Afghanistan Federation of Trade Unions (AAFTU), Mohammad Liaqat Adil, “Child laborers are increasing and there are many reasons. First, the government has not done anything for them, which they must do; second, no investment took place in the country, which must be done; and the third one is the government does not pay attention to the wages of workers. All of these reason have caused the increase in child labor.”

The proper nourishment of the children, their character development and their education are the most important considerations to contemplate on, if the government is really serious to safeguard the rights of the children. The same children are going to be the builders of future; their proper care should be ascertained through every possible means. Apart from the government the members of the society can also play a tremendous role in diminishing discrimination against the children, saving them from child labor, uplifting their morale and supporting them in becoming responsible members of the society.