EDUCATION FOR SOLIDARITY

Friday, 15 April 2011

Why is 16 April the International Day Against Child Slavery?

"Iqbal was very brave. He knew what needed to be done, and he didn't give up. That's what courage is all about. It's not giving up; it's always putting the first step in front of the second step; it's just getting out there and doing it, and everybody can be courageous," Jennifer (student from Broad Meadows Middle School)

Thursday, 14 April 2011

16 April: International Day Against Child Slavery Anyl's Story: Child Slavery in India

Introduce the topic of Child Slavery

1. Is there anything wrong with children working?

Possible answer:

Not all children’s work is bad. Many children work – they do chores around the house, paper rounds, babysitting, work in shops etc. This work can help children learn new skills, develop responsibility and money management and get experience in a work environment in preparation for future employment and participation in society. But not all work may have a positive effect on children’s lives if it damages their health, prevents them from studying and hinder their growth and development.

2. How many children are working fulltime across the world?

Possible answer:

It is estimated that globally there are 400 million slave children. Most of them are involved in fulltime employment, and working beyond a normal working day of 8 hours, or working in hazardous circumstances that cause ill health and chronic disease and which sometimes lead to their death.

3. What is child slavery?

Possible answer:

Child slavery is defined as exploitative and it involves:

too many hours spent working
work that causes physical or mental stress
poor and dangerous working conditons
inadequate or no pay
work that interferes with children's access to education
work that undermines children's self-esteem

4. What are the most typical forms of child slavery?

Possible answer

working in sweatshops
working in agrigulture
working in mining
working as scavengers
collecting rubbish in dumps
selling children for their organs
trafficking children
debt bondage
serfdom
child soldiers
prostitution
procuring or forcing children into illicit activities

Watch the documentary: ANIL'S STORY

Anil works full-time making glass bangles in the confines of the small room he and his family live in. He burns his fingers in the flame he works at and the gas fumes are damaging his eyes and make it hard for him to breathe.

Anil works so that his younger brothers and sisters can go to school but wishes he could have carried on with school and got an education so he could get a proper job.