India has the largest number of working children under 14 years in the world. Estimates range from 12.6 to 60 million. 70-80% of children are employed in agricultural activities such as wage labourers or cultivators, others in domestic work in household industries, factories, small trade activities and in the service sector. Many of them are trafficked into forced labour and work in mega cities in the most inhuman conditions. Findings from a baseline survey confirmed the trend of child labour in West Bengal, in hotels, tea shops, bakeries and domestic sectors. Most of these children were trafficked from remote villages of different districts especially Jalpaiguri district, states like Assam, Bihar, and Sikkim and neighbouring country like Nepal to work 12-15 hours a day. This programme addresses Child Labour and Child Protection issues in the district of Darjeeling, West Bengal.

Geographical coverage:

04 Blocks, 8 Panchayats and 59 villages of district Darjeeling

Implementing partners:

1. Bal Suraksha Abhiyan Trust (BSA)
2. Anugyalaya Darjeeling Diocese Social Service Society

Key highlights

• 15 Child Labour Free Zones under Kalimpong Municipality
• Child Friendly Police Station at Kalimpong
• 4 Child Labour Free Gram Panchayats
• Children Clubs registered with the concerned (29) Vigilance Committees at target villages under BSA and Gram Panchayat leading awareness drives among children and communities on child rights.
• Child Rights Protection Desk (CRPD) at Block offices, panchayat offices and market places three days /week and 3 hours, to discuss and resolve issues concerning children.

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