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EM Bureau
Dimapur, June 11 (EMN): National Domestic Workers’ Movement (NDWM), Nagaland Region, in collaboration with Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID), observed ‘World Day Against Child Labour’ at Assisi auditorium on June 11 on the theme “Universal social protection to end child labour.”
Delivering the welcome address, NDWM coordinator of Nagaland region, Sr. Pramila Lobo, stated the ‘World Day Against Child Labour’ was observed to eliminate discrimination against children, especially those who are engaged in manual works.
Lobo went on to say that millions of children worldwide were trafficked and deprived of their rights to education, right to play, leisure and healthy growth and of free mental, physical, psychological and spiritual growth. She has attributed the conflict, poverty and unrest situation for compelling girls to work as bartenders along Assam and Nagaland borders.
Expressing concern on the plight of those girls, she has sought concerted effort among the public to work for their betterment.
Speaking on the theme ‘Universal social protection to end child labour,’ the inspector of labour, Lipong Longchar, stated that the day was organised to highlight the plight of child labour. He has advocated strong mechanism in order to eliminate child labour from the society.
In order to curb child labour, Longchar has suggested creating awareness, sending more children to school, discouraging people to employee children, more stringent laws and effective implementation.
In a related programme, Community Educational Centre Society (CECS), in collaboration with Wipro Care, CEC School, and Childline 1098, observed the ‘World Day Against Child Labour’ on June 11 at CECS conference hall on the theme “Universal social protection to end child labour.”
Speaking at the occasion, Toshi Aier, CECS programme officer, briefly highlighted on the significance of ‘World Day Against Child Labour,’ which is observed to express concern of child labour in the state and the world in general. He has defined child labour as deprivation of an individual childhood, stated an update from CECS.
Referring to the Nagaland Childline survey, he informed that around 164 cases of abuses were reported in 2022. He, therefore, encouraged the gathering especially the students to be aware and remain vigilant to prevent child labour.
He has sought collective afford from the government, NGO, civil bodies and like-minded people to eliminate the menace of child labour from the society.
Deli Chakre, team member of Childline 1098, spoke on the scenario of child labour in Dimapur. Quoting the South Asian Child Labour Statistical report, he stated that India has the highest number of child labour, aged between 5 and 17 years, followed by Bangladesh.
Stating that prevalence of child labour is a blemish on the face of humanity that must be erased as soon as possible, he stated that Childline 1098, as a child service provider, has been working to eliminate child labour since its inception. He further urged the gathering to be part of its mission for a child friendly society.
Mhaseto Rhakho, Childline 1098 nodal coordinator, chaired the programme, while a song was presented by CECS choir. CECS students enacted a short play on child labour.