CREAM initiatives on World Day against Child Labour

The month of June highlights alarming social issues, directing our attention towards being socially responsible individuals. World Environment Day on June 5^th and World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) on June 12^th were the two important highlights of the month.

World Day Against Child Labour reminds us to not overlook the plight of the children. Per the United Nations, 160 million children are still engaged in child labour. Elaborating on this year’s theme, “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour”,  International Labour Organisation Director-General, Guy Ryder said, “Social protection is one of the most powerful measures to prevent child labour, providing families with income security in difficult times.”

Bangalore Rural Educational and Development Society (BREADS) observed WDACL 2022 through its Child Rights Education and Action Movement (CREAM) programme in 17 districts of Karnataka, namely Bangalore Urban and Rural, Ramanagara, Mandya, Tumakuru, Chitradurga, Vijayanagara, Koppal, Gadag, Raichur, Bagalkote, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Yadgir, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Bidar in collaboration with the district administrations.  CREAM joined hands with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), departments of Labour, Women and Child Development (DWCD), Education, etc. to observe the importance of the day. This year, CREAM combined the government school re-enrollment programme Shale Kade Nanna Nade (My walk towards school) with its campaign, Santoshadindha Shalege (Happily to school) in the districts.

During 2021, through CREAM,  86 child labourers were rescued and rehabilitated, and 67 school dropouts readmitted to school.  Various activities were conducted in the districts: rallies, public gatherings, street plays, door-to-door awareness campaigns, cultural events, planting of saplings in government schools as part of World Environment Day etc. During the public events, prizes were awarded to the winners of essay writing, drawing, and public speaking competitions conducted in different schools. CREAM will continue the observance of WDACL 2022 during June, reaching out to more villages and schools in the districts.