What is Child Labour?
Child labour is a serious issue that occurs worldwide in countries such as Ethiopia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sudan and Somalia. There are many other places in the world with children who are forced into labour, and many of the countries are in Africa. It is the employment of children into industries that deprives them of their childhood and affects them mentally, physically and socially.
In the worst forms of child labour, children are exposed to toxic and/or hazardous work areas.
In the worst forms of child labour, children are exposed to toxic and/or hazardous work areas.
The Canadian Labour Congress states that 22 million children die annually due to the hazardous conditions in the sweatshops.
UNICEF estimates that there are 150 million children aged 5-14 in developing countries who experience child labour.
Compassion estimates that there are 1.2 million children worldwide - both boys and girls -who are trafficked each year into exploitative work in agriculture, mining, factories, armed conflict or commercial sex work.
UNICEF estimates that there are 150 million children aged 5-14 in developing countries who experience child labour.
Compassion estimates that there are 1.2 million children worldwide - both boys and girls -who are trafficked each year into exploitative work in agriculture, mining, factories, armed conflict or commercial sex work.
Why Africa?
The CFO is focusing on the children in Africa because statistics have shown that over a quarter of all child labourers work in sub-saharan Africa.
More than 40% of the children ages 5-14 in the Sub-Sahara suffer from child labour. This totals for about 48 million children.
More than 40% of the children ages 5-14 in the Sub-Sahara suffer from child labour. This totals for about 48 million children.
It is estimated that in 2006 Nigeria had about 15 million child labourers. Because poverty is common in Nigeria, children also have to work in order to support their families.
In Congo, at the age of 5 or 6, children are working full time and earning less than a dollar a day.
ILO estimates that there are 400 000 child workers in Rwanda. Of those, 120 000 children work in hazardous areas and 60 000 are domestic workers.
60% of all the children in Ethiopia are engaged in child labour. They are exposed to the worst forms of child labour since most of them work in the mining industries.
In Congo, at the age of 5 or 6, children are working full time and earning less than a dollar a day.
ILO estimates that there are 400 000 child workers in Rwanda. Of those, 120 000 children work in hazardous areas and 60 000 are domestic workers.
60% of all the children in Ethiopia are engaged in child labour. They are exposed to the worst forms of child labour since most of them work in the mining industries.
The map(1) below shows the percentages of child labour in different countries.
As shown, Africa is composed of the most countries who experience child labour. (1999-2006)
As shown, Africa is composed of the most countries who experience child labour. (1999-2006)
Where in Africa?
Africa is a big place, and like everything, the CFO has to start somewhere. So, we're focusing specifically on the capital of Ethiopia: Addis Ababa. The children in Addis Ababa who are forced to work are engaged in the worst forms of child labour. Because of this, we decided to start there. Learn more about our missions and objectives.
BBC World shows the severity of child labour issues in Africa. Young children are working to help their families earn enough money to pay for their children's education.
video(2)
video(2)
sources:
map (1) from UNICEF
video (2) BBC World
map (1) from UNICEF
video (2) BBC World