This program has ended
In 2019, the new multi-stakeholder coalition Work: No Child’s Business, set out on a clear mission to help eliminate child labor and ensure that all children and youth enjoy their rights to quality education and (future) decent work.
Impact:
- Uganda (Busia and Karamoja sub regions): 12,160 children were removed or protected from child labor.
- India (Bihar, Delhi/National Capital Region, Rajasthan): 42,071 children stopped working and returned to school.
- Côte d’Ivoire (Abidjan, Nawa, Poro and Bagoue): Over 7,000 children stopped working and returned to school.
- Mali (Segou and Sikasso): Daily school attendance rose from 57% in 2019 to 90% in 2024.
- Jordan (Za’atari refugee camp, Za’atari village, East Amman and Sahab, Rusaifa in Zarqa): 31% of out-of-school children returned to education by 2024.
- Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap Province): 50,000 community members were reached through awareness campaigns and awareness of child labor and children’s rights increased to 85%.
Why we worked on fighting child labor
Hivos believes all people have the right – and the ability – to shape their lives on the basis of personal choices. But not when the choices of some determine the fate of others, as in the case of child labor.
All work done by children under the age of 15 and dangerous work done by children under the age of 18 is considered child labor. 152 million children between 5 and 17 are involved in child labor worldwide. This means almost one in ten of all children. Although child labor has declined over the past 15 years, progress has slowed more recently.
It is essential to help them back to school and keep them there. Ensuring quality formal education and preparing children to enter decent youth employment will lead to development and better opportunities for everyone: the children, their families and their communities.
How we worked to eradicate child labor
Providing access to education for all children is one the most effective strategies for eradicating child labor. To do this we need to work together on all levels. Our area-based approach tackles child labor where it occurs and brings sustainable change to communities. We encourage (international) companies to assume their responsibility. And we have developed Child’s Rights and Business Principles to help them find solutions for eliminating child labor in their supply chains. We also seek cooperation with governments. They have an obligation to protect child rights and are key in crafting policies and enforcing legislation regarding child labor, Responsible Business Conduct, education, youth economic empowerment and social security.
Where
Cote d’Ivore, India, Jordan, Mali, Vietnam and Hivos leads implementation in Uganda
