Wow, this map demonstrates well the severity of the issue of child labour centering on areas like Africa and Southern Asia. My own research reflects similar data in that the highest numbers of child labourers are in the Asia/Pacific region (122 million working children) and the highest proportion of child labourers is in Sub Saharan Africa (26% of children involved in work). More specifically, 54,000 children are involved in domestic labour and 120,000 in armed conflict in South Africa. These figures are similar to those in Asia and Pacific, with a slightly lower number of 30,000 in armed conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean (International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF)). Domestic service seems the more demanding issue in South America and Western Africa, most likely given its culture which more socially accepts women’s duty in the household and the lower position women stand in comparison to men. Thus, I believe giving children access to education would lower the number of children entering the labour market, as it would provide a more well-rounded society and female children in particular (who dominate this part of the labour market) would be given a wider view of options outside of domestic service.
Source: International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF). Dutch fail to get issue of child labour on G8 agenda. 24 June 2008. Electronic. 3 March 2012. http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/news/11615 Though I used only the statistic found in this link, the document itself was very interesting. It spoke of how the Netherlands have failed to put child labour on the global political agenda G8. Other attempts on the part of the country concerning this issue have also met quick ends, such as the Netherlands’ request for trade sanctions against governments that refuse to act against child labour, which was rejected by the European Union. This event, having happened only 4 years ago, shows well how child labour is not receiving the necessary attention on an international field and is constantly being brushed aside despite its powerful and morally incorrect global impact. Thus, it is extremely important to raise awareness about this issue and place it into the concern of governments worldwide.
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ReplyDeleteThis is the comment I accidentally removed:
ReplyDeleteWow, this map demonstrates well the severity of the issue of child labour centering on areas like Africa and Southern Asia. My own research reflects similar data in that the highest numbers of child labourers are in the Asia/Pacific region (122 million working children) and the highest proportion of child labourers is in Sub Saharan Africa (26% of children involved in work). More specifically, 54,000 children are involved in domestic labour and 120,000 in armed conflict in South Africa. These figures are similar to those in Asia and Pacific, with a slightly lower number of 30,000 in armed conflict in Latin America and the Caribbean (International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF)). Domestic service seems the more demanding issue in South America and Western Africa, most likely given its culture which more socially accepts women’s duty in the household and the lower position women stand in comparison to men. Thus, I believe giving children access to education would lower the number of children entering the labour market, as it would provide a more well-rounded society and female children in particular (who dominate this part of the labour market) would be given a wider view of options outside of domestic service.
Source:
International Labor Rights Forum (ILRF). Dutch fail to get issue of child labour on G8 agenda. 24 June 2008. Electronic. 3 March 2012.
http://www.laborrights.org/stop-child-labor/news/11615
Though I used only the statistic found in this link, the document itself was very interesting. It spoke of how the Netherlands have failed to put child labour on the global political agenda G8. Other attempts on the part of the country concerning this issue have also met quick ends, such as the Netherlands’ request for trade sanctions against governments that refuse to act against child labour, which was rejected by the European Union. This event, having happened only 4 years ago, shows well how child labour is not receiving the necessary attention on an international field and is constantly being brushed aside despite its powerful and morally incorrect global impact. Thus, it is extremely important to raise awareness about this issue and place it into the concern of governments worldwide.
Melissa