Child labour robs children of their childhood, their dignity, and their right to learn. When a child is working instead of
learning, they are not only missing lessons today, they are losing the foundation on which their entire future depends. The
consequences compound over time: a child who works instead of attending school is more likely to remain in poverty as an adult,
and their own children are more likely to face the same fate.
Child labour takes many forms. Some children work in agriculture, on family farms, or in markets. Others work in domestic service,
in mining, in construction, or in the informal economy. Some are trafficked. Some are forced into hazardous work that endangers
their health and safety. In every case, the child is denied the protection, education, and opportunities that every child
deserves.
The root causes of child labour are complex and interlinked. Poverty is the most significant driver. When families cannot afford
to meet their basic needs, children are often sent to work to supplement household income. Limited access to education, weak
enforcement of child labour laws, cultural norms that accept child work, and the absence of social protection systems all
contribute. Addressing child labour therefore requires action on multiple fronts at once, from household economic support to
stronger legal protections and community-wide change.
