James Marcus Haney / War Child UK

A new programme to help end child labour

War Child is part of a new programme to help end the worst forms of child labour in the Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of Congo.

On the World Day Against Child Labour, we're not just using our voice to raise awareness. 

We're taking real action. 

Denied the right to learn 

152 million children are involved in child labour around the world. 

That's an absolute disgrace. 

In CAR and DRC, many children work in extremely dangerous industries like mining and agriculture. 

No child should be involved in back-breaking work involving heavy machinery. 

Injuries can condemn a child to life on the street with no medical care or support. 
 

The red hand symbolises the fight against the use of children in war.
War Child UK

FOUR WAYS WE'RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

We're involved in a new programme that will: 

  1. Support children to stay in school and training that will provide long-term, appropriate employment. 
  2. Empower local communities to stand up to those who exploit children. 
  3. Encourage local authorities to take children's rights seriously and act when they're violated. 
  4. Help businesses ensure they're not benefitting from child labour. 

The programme - led by World Vision - will reach 14,547 children directly. 

Many thousands more will be helped by raising awareness of child rights and the problem of child labour. 

But there's so much more to do. 

Decades of war in the CAR and DRC have had a terrible effect on the lives of children there. 

They're often employed by armed groups as child soldiers, spies, cooks and wives. 

The physical and emotional scars of this 'work' can last a lifetime. 

Our latest report, Rethink Child Soldiers, explains how difficult and complex it is to rehabilitate child soldiers. 

 

Girls involved in child labour are vulnerable to violent and sexual abuse. 

Many are forced into work as prostitutes or early marriages in awful conditions. 

Even though child labour and exploitation are often illegal, children aren't aware of their rights. 

When violations are reported to local authorities corruption means that little action is taken. 

That's unacceptable. 

 

Giving children a voice 

War Child is committed to amplifying the voices of children we work with. 

That's why we spoke to children directly involved in child labour to make sure the programme was relevant to them and their needs. 

After all, they know the challenges they face better than anyone else. 

 

 

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Child labour is a challenge that no child should have to face, anywhere.

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