Education is an essential part of everyone’s life. Without it, we can’t be successful or make wise choices. The world is progressing and changing with every passing second. Therefore, everyone should get an education not just to gain knowledge but also to keep up and be successful in life.
All children need an education, but there is a major hurdle in many countries. It is called “modern slavery.” Also known as child labor.
The International Labour Organisation defines child labour. “The term “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that:
- is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children; and/or
- interferes with their schooling by: depriving them of the opportunity to attend school; obliging them to leave school prematurely; or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work.
The worst forms of child labour involves children being enslaved, separated from their families, exposed to serious hazards and illnesses and/or left to fend for themselves on the streets of large cities – often at a very early age. Whether or not particular forms of “work” can be called “child labour” depends on the child’s age, the type and hours of work performed, the conditions under which it is performed and the objectives pursued by individual countries. The answer varies from country to country, as well as among sectors within countries.”
Child labor stops ‘seeds’ from growing. These seeds are our children. We need to provide them education. So, they can grow and be successful contributors to their communities.
Education is a key to getting rid of this problem.
It also helps our western society know that this is happening.
World Vision says: As many as 152 million children aged 5 to 17 around the world are engaged in child labor, working in jobs that deprive them of their childhood, interfere with schooling, or harm their mental, physical, or social development.
We need to fight against child labor.
Four Ways to Help:
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1. Education is A Key To Fight:
Education is a key through which we can fight for children’s rights. Many organisations around the world are working raising awareness on this problem and fight for children’s rights.
Every year an international day is celebrated to give people awareness about education. UNESCO describes education this way:
“Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.”
Education can provide freedom. Resulting in choices and options. Therefore, wise decisions can be made. We need to give our children knowledge so they have options, hope and can see better opportunities. So we need to set a vision that they can get an education. Education can help them in many ways. It can solve many problems. But it is a fight.
During COVID families are desperate, with no jobs, no money and no vision for the future. So paying for education or thinking beyond the next meal is impossible. Therefore, selling children into forced labour (or worse), has become the only option for too many parents.
We ALL need to be financially supporting organisations that are providing education, especially now during COVID. It is the best way to directly help.
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2. Limelight the Need:
It is important to realise that we also have a responsibility to raise awareness on the importance of giving a child an education. For instance we can promote it at work; tell our family, friends, and community that education is an important step to free our children from slavery. We need to share posts and use hashtags not just ‘like’ the post – that does nothing to change a life. As UNESCO says: ‘it is a public responsibility.’ Another benefit is, lifting peoples eyes from their own daily stresses and focussing on the plight of others worse off, is great for mental health.
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3. Participate To Eliminate:
Make a video, write a blog or a short story on slavery and child labour. At least your circle of friends will have knowledge and awareness. Put this story on social media and tag people. In addition, you can host an event. You could even invite social workers who are working on the problem of modern slavery. The Freedom Hub team would be happy to Zoom into any event you might run. We can share motivational stories with your friends to encourage them that there is still hope and that together we can get rid of this malicious problem.
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4. Fundraise To Help:
If you are doing a lot of work as an ‘education advocate’, you will be needing some donations. However, rallying people to help can be a huge task. The Freedom Hub has DIY fundraising kit that will help you every step of the way. You can print off the posters and paste them on your street or shopping centre to engage more audience. Also ask your family and friends to help you. Don’t hesitate to ask people for donations and gifts as you are collecting it for a good deed. The money you gather will help. You can cover your costs and help organisations fighting slavery with this money. The reward it that you will be greatly appreciated for the work you do to help and you will be making a difference.
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In conclusion
Modern slavery is a curse for our society and a massive breach of human rights. So we need to stop this.
Yes, we need to go to every extent to end this. Addressing this global issue can save millions of lives. Many people living in poor countries are often not aware of their rights, and they can’t raise their voice on their own. However we can be their voices. It is an injustice for those people who are suffering. The children who are in labor are not having a childhood without even knowing better. We can help stop their hands from hard labour and place books in their hands. As a result they will get knowledge, awareness, and have a bright future. In addition, speaking on this issue will also lead to change and more helpers in this cause. It is a crucial issue in our world.
So to end slavery, we must all actively participate in ending with education. We should fund organisations on working directly on this issues. Additionally we can read and share all the data. Also, read and share all the available information. Together we can do this.
This is how education can help fight against modern slavery.
Guest Blogger: Mary Jean from Valenture Institute (edited by TFH)
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You can read more about child labour here.
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