Over 168 million children are still child laborers today. Despite how far we have come in terms of technology and justice, child labor still remains one of the most prevalent issues in our world.
The conditions in which some children have to still work in 2020 is truly astounding. The workplaces have many problems including exposure to chemicals, a lack of sanitation, exposure to radiation, operation of dangerous machines, and much more. These would by themselves pose immense problems for adults, but the developing children are at increased risk, resulting in deaths, injuries, and physical and mental health trauma. In the 1900s, there was an anti-sweatshop movement that took place, to improve the conditions of work and eliminate child labor. More than a century later, we are still fighting that same problem.
A lot of us were probably blessed, with plenty of outlets and opportunities available for us, and our educations never something we had to think twice about having. But, while we are receiving all of these opportunities, there are still so many children out there fighting for their basic rights and needs. By no means do I mean our childhoods were perfect, but having basic rights wasn’t something we had to worry about. The child laborers’ development and education were put at great risk, and their childhood was just stripped away from them. Progress has been made; the number of children in child labor has been cut by a third since 2000, but the number of children not being provided basic rights is still extremely overwhelming.
You might sometimes feel powerless, especially in global situations like this, but I assure you that you CAN help. Spread awareness and educate yourself on how to make a change and fight for children’s rights on DCI’s website (https://distressedchildren.org/). Get involved with DCI through volunteering, and I assure you that you will be able to contribute to DCI’s selfless, widespread and lasting impact. I saw it firsthand on my volunteering trip to Dhaka.
This World day against Child Labor, I want to applaud the efforts that have been made, and remind everyone that there is still work to be done that can better the lives of children everywhere. You have the opportunity to help, and I sincerely hope you take it.
Kavin Kathir
Youth Leader, Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI)
About Kavin Kathir
Kavin Kathir is from Cheshire, Connecticut. He is a rising junior at Cheshire Academy, and is attending there through a 4-year Town Scholarship. He recently took a volunteer trip to Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he helped children learn English at the DCI Sun Child Home. He later stated that this trip really opened his eyes and was a life-changing experience. Kavin is a committed volunteer, and has been volunteering through DCI since 2015.
