Child Labour Prevention – Save The Breath Foundation

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Child Labour

Help us create a ripple effect of positive change – stronger communities, healthier families, and a sustainable future.

A Vision for a Child Labour-Free Future

Child labour is not just a statistic—it’s a human tragedy that steals childhoods and dreams. The Save The Breath Foundation is committed to creating a world where every child can learn, play, and grow without the burden of work. Together, we can build a future where children’s rights are protected, and their potential is unleashed.

The Crisis of Child Labour in India

Child labour is a profound violation of children’s rights, robbing them of their childhood, education, and opportunities for a better future. It involves work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally harmful, often preventing children from attending school or enjoying their developmental years. In India, despite significant progress, child labour remains a persistent challenge, deeply rooted in socio-economic and cultural factors.

According to the 2011 Census, approximately 10.12 million children aged 5-14 were engaged in child labour, accounting for 3.9% of the total child population in that age group (Census of India, 2011). While this number reflects a decline from 12.6 million in 2001, recent reports indicate that economic hardships, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, may have reversed some of this progress. A 2021 UNICEF report noted a global rise in child labour to 160 million, with India facing increased risks due to school closures and economic distress (UNICEF, 2021).

A critical 2023 report by the Indian Parliament’s Standing Committee on Labour, Textiles, and Skill Development, titled National Policy on Child Labour – An Assessment, warned that India is unlikely to meet its 2025 target of eliminating child labour, as set by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8.7 (PRS India, 2023). The report highlighted enforcement gaps, inadequate rehabilitation efforts, and the need for coordinated action across ministries to address this crisis.

The Scale of the Problem

Child labour in India is concentrated in specific sectors and regions, with significant variations:

Prevalence: The 2011 Census reported 10.12 million child labourers aged 5-14, with 5.6 million boys and 4.5 million girls. Among children aged 10-14 not in school or work, girls (4.6 million) outnumber boys (3.9 million), often due to domestic responsibilities (End Child Labour, 2021).
Sectors: Children are commonly employed in agriculture (over 50% of child labourers), manufacturing (e.g., garment factories, brick kilns), domestic work, and informal sectors like tea stalls and construction (ScienceDirect, 2022).
Regional Variations: States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh have higher rates, while Mizoram and Lakshadweep report negligible child labour. Himachal Pradesh has the highest rate at 5.6% (ScienceDirect, 2022).
Urban vs. Rural Trends: Child labour has declined more in rural areas, but urban areas have seen an increase due to migration and demand for cheap labour (FairPlanet, 2023).

Statistic	Details
Total Child Labourers (2011)	10.12 million (5–14 years)
Boys vs. Girls	5.6 million boys, 4.5 million girls
Key Sectors	Agriculture, manufacturing, domestic work, informal sectors
High-Risk States	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh
Global Context	160 million children in child labour worldwide (2021)

Root Causes of Child Labour

The persistence of child labour in India is driven by a complex interplay of factors:

Poverty: Families living below the poverty line often rely on children’s earnings to survive, with economically disadvantaged households more likely to engage children in work (ScienceDirect, 2022).
Lack of Education: Limited access to quality schools, especially in rural areas, pushes children into labour. UNICEF notes that India faces shortages of schools, classrooms, and teachers, particularly in rural regions where 90% of child labour occurs (Wikipedia, 2009).
Cultural Norms: In some communities, child labour is normalized, with girls often tasked with domestic chores and boys expected to contribute to family businesses.
Economic Exploitation: Employers exploit children for their low wages and compliance, particularly in unorganized sectors where oversight is minimal.
Migration: Rural-to-urban migration increases demand for child workers in urban informal sectors, exacerbating the problem (UNICEF, 2021).

Devastating Impacts of Child Labour

Child labour has profound and lasting consequences:

Physical Health: Children in hazardous work, such as brick kilns or factories, face injuries, illnesses, and chronic health issues. For example, a 15-year-old boy in New Delhi died in an elevator shaft accident while working illegally (FairPlanet, 2023).
Mental Health: The stress and trauma of labour can lead to anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues.
Education Deprivation: Child labourers are often denied schooling, limiting their future opportunities and perpetuating poverty. Girls are particularly affected, being twice as likely to be out of school for domestic work (End Child Labour, 2021).
Social Isolation: Working children miss out on social interactions and developmental experiences essential for their growth.
Economic Consequences: A less educated workforce undermines India’s economic potential, hindering long-term growth.

Legal and Policy Framework

India has established a robust legal framework to combat child labour, though enforcement remains a challenge:

Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 (amended 2016): Prohibits employment of children under 14 in all occupations and regulates adolescents (14-18) in hazardous work (Wikipedia, 2009).
Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009: Ensures free education for children aged 6-14, aiming to keep them in school (British Safety Council, 2024).
Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015: Provides for the care and rehabilitation of children rescued from labour (US Department of Labor, 2023).
National Policy on Child Labour, 1987: Outlines a gradual approach focusing on legislative enforcement, rehabilitation, and welfare schemes (Ministry of Labour, 2015).
National Child Labour Project (NCLP): Since 1988, the government has implemented industry-specific projects to rehabilitate child workers (Wikipedia, 2009).

Despite these measures, the 2023 parliamentary report noted gaps in enforcement, inadequate penalties, and lack of accountability for employers outsourcing to contractors who hire children (PRS India, 2023).

Save The Breath Foundation’s Initiatives

The Save The Breath Foundation is dedicated to eradicating child labour through comprehensive, community-driven programs:

Program	Description	Impact
Rescue and Rehabilitation	Partners with local authorities and NGOs to identify and rescue children from labour, providing safe shelters, education, and vocational training.	Helps children reintegrate into society with skills and opportunities.
Awareness Campaigns	Conducts community outreach to educate parents, employers, and the public about the harms of child labour and the value of education.	Shifts cultural norms and promotes child rights.
Economic Empowerment	Offers skill development and microfinance programs for adults to reduce family reliance on child labour.	Breaks the cycle of poverty driving child labour.
Policy Advocacy	Collaborates with policymakers to strengthen laws, improve enforcement, and increase funding for education and welfare.	Drives systemic change for long-term impact.

Rescue and Rehabilitation: Our teams work tirelessly to rescue children from hazardous work environments, such as factories and construction sites. Rescued children receive counseling, education, and vocational training to prepare them for a brighter future.
Awareness Campaigns: Through workshops, street plays, and media campaigns, we educate communities about the legal and ethical implications of child labour, encouraging parents to prioritize education.
Economic Empowerment: By providing training and financial support to parents, we reduce the economic pressures that force children into work. For example, our microfinance programs help families start small businesses.
Policy Advocacy: We advocate for stronger enforcement mechanisms, such as regular inspections and harsher penalties for violators, and push for increased investment in schools and social welfare.

Stories of Transformation

The impact of our work is best seen through the lives we change:

Amit’s Journey:

Amit, a 13-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, was working in a hazardous factory. After being rescued by our team, he was enrolled in a residential school where he now excels in science and dreams of becoming a doctor.

Sita’s New Beginning:

Nisha, aged 11, was employed as a domestic helper far from her family. Our rehabilitation program reunited her with her loved ones and enrolled her in school, where she aspires to become a teacher.

Community Impact

In a rural Bihar village, our awareness campaigns convinced 15 families to withdraw their children from work and enroll them in school, sparking a community-wide shift toward education.

Quantitative Impact:

In one village, our advocacy workshops convinced 20 families to prioritize their daughters’ education over early marriage, creating a ripple effect of change in the community.

Rescues: Over 500 children rescued from labour in the past year.
Education: 300 children enrolled in schools through our programs.
Community Reach: Awareness campaigns reached over 1,000 families in high-risk areas.
Policy Influence: Advocated for policy changes in 5 states, leading to increased inspections.

Join Us in Preventing Child Labour

Every child deserves a chance to live, learn, and grow free from exploitation. Help us make this a reality.

Donate

Your generous contribution enables us to rescue and rehabilitate children from exploitative labour, providing education and skills to build their future.