On this World Day against Child Labour, Caritas India organised Webinar on the topic “Safeguarding Childhood in Multi-layered Vulnerabilities”. World Day Against Child Labour 2020 focusses on the impact of the crisis on child labour.   The Webinar began with a prayer song presented by Child Leaders from West Bengal. Fr. Jolly, Asst. Executive Director welcomed the eminent speakers, guests and shared the objective of the Webinar.

This Webinar aimed at a discussion on tackling the emerging child rights crisis and deliberating on the way forward to prevent child labour. This Webinar was an effort to create collective deliberations through discussion and interaction between Child Leaders as well as other key Stakeholders such as Govt, Representatives, CSOs, INGOs.  Child Leaders from West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh voice their concerns regarding Child Labour and share about their Stay Home stories during the lockdown. Fr. Jolly further added, “As the World has almost come to a halt grappling with crisis amidst this pandemic and other disasters, ILO (International Labour Organization) calls for global action to protect children from child labour more than ever.   In our endeavour to discuss and create solutions to challenges for ensuring rightful childhood for every child by creating this cross-learning platforms and prevent child labour, we welcome you all to this Webinar.”

This Webinar was marked by the presence of over 120 guests from various CSOs, INGOs academic institutions, networks as well as govt. representatives from key Child Rights Statutory bodies; NCPCR and WBCPCR.

Fr. Paul Moonjely, Executive Director, Caritas India (CI)in his Keynote address raised his concern on how the multi-layered vulnerable vulnerabilities due to COVID and other disasters have made the issue of Child Labour more complex. He shared, “Today on World Day against Child Labour, I want to remind all of you that each child has a right to live a joyful and colourful childhood. Hence, it is the responsibility of each one of us to ensure that every child is safe and protect them from child labour.”

Mr. Rajesh Upadhyay, Head of the Department (HOD) – Programmes, Caritas India, moderated the Webinar and facilitated discussions to encourage inputs from the representatives of various organisations from all across India and key dignitaries from Statutory  Child rights Bodies  on creating collective synergies to prevent child labour and protection of children from violence.

Ms.Rosy Taba , Member – NCPCR ( National Commission for Protection of Child Rights ) stated; “ COVID and other Disasters in the present times has brought light the vulnerabilities of children. In the current context children and their issues have become far more visible. With increasing poverty and dwindling employment situation, there is more likelihood of children becoming victims of child labour, sexual violence, trafficking etc. What is necessary currently is to create a database of children who are going to back to villages as a result of reverse migration and ensure that they are being ensured their rights and treated with dignity. Also, the State responsibility towards children needs to be taken much seriously and more stringent child protection systems and security measures should be implemented effectively.”

Ms. Ananya Chakroborty, Chairperson – WBCPCR (West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights highlighted on how children in West Bengal are facing double whammy because of Amphan as well as COVID.  She shared that to prevent child labour, trafficking and other violence against children, WBCPCR is engaging in teacher’s training to prevent school dropouts post lockdown. Also, they are focusing on the engagement of key grassroots institutions i.e Gram Panchayat and Asha Workers in doing door to door tracking of children and families to prevent violence against children.

The Child Leaders presented their 16-point Charter of Concerns and recommendations on Child Labour to the Stakeholders which they prepared as an outcome of two days Capacity Building Workshop during National Conclave of Labouring Childhood -1 (15^th -17^th Feb 2020). The Charter was collectively prepared by Child Leaders from 7 states of India namely Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and also from Country Nepal.

Ms.Rabina,a Child Leader from Uttar Pradesh who has prevented several child marriages and saved child labourers shared her Stay Home Story during this lockdown.” This lockdown and closure of schools is keeping us away not only from education but is also exposing us to several violence at home. Girls are engaged into household work whole day and boys are working in the agricultural fields instead of studying. We as Children’s Parliament members are creating grain banks and distributing free ration and menstruation pads to children and their families free of cost. We are also engaging with Gram panchayat to ensure services to poor families”.

Mr Mathews Philip, National Convener- CACL (Campaign Against Child Labour) shared on how coalitions like CACL and other such collective networks of CSOs and NGOs help create policy-level impacts and dialogues at the macro level. He further added that hence, it remains extremely crucial that at these times, the coalitions anchor the influence on policies and enhance the accountability of State Responsibilities towards the rights of the children.

“We are amidst these strange times where we are not able to go to school and neither we are able to play with our friends. Though online classes have started, many of my friends do not have food to eat, so forget about getting a recharge on mobile done to have access to smart classes. I want a solution to make education accessible to all children during the current times”; said Mr.Ramji, Child Leader from Bihar.

Ms Sakshi Rai, Child Leader from West Bengal shared her Stay Home Stories on how though the schools are closed, their Children’s Clubs are constantly engaged into various initiatives during the lockdown and enjoying their time. “We have been engaging ourselves into various awareness activities during COVID, conducted drawing and poster competitions, online training on rights & responsibilities of children  and also providing peer to peer education to children due to lockdown.”

Mr.Ambarish Rai, National Convenor –  RTE forum  (Right to Education Forum ) shared how even after 10 yrs of RTE act, only 12.7 % out of 1.5 mn schools in  India are RTE compliant. Due to COVID situations and other associated vulnerabilities, it is estimated that approximately 20% of the school-going children would drop outpost lockdown if appropriate arrangements are not made to ensure their retention. In order to prevent school dropout and child labour during this current situation, it is essential to create congruence in the norms of  CLPRA ( Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Amendment Act ), 2016  with the RTE Act.

current times also demand reformation in the education system. The current focus of schools should be ensuring psychosocial wellbeing of children and not creating digital disparity through online classes. The focus should be on engaging children through creative ways rather than aiming at the completion of syllabus.  

Ms.Asha Rosaline Ekka, Manager – Programs, WB, CI stated the way forward for Surokhit Shaishav; Child Rights Program on Prevention of Child Labour and strengthening of Child Protection systems across West Bengal.  “Caritas India is currently tackling the present crisis through Children’s Clubs, Child Rights help desks, Liaoning for Child-Friendly police stations at the micro-level and engaging with various CSOs and Statutory bodies to influence at the policy level. Caritas India is also the Co-Convener of CACL-WB. We continue our efforts towards ensuring child protection for every child across the districts of Surokhit Shaishav in WB through our Partners.”

The program culminated with a formal vote of thanks extended by Ms.Rashi Mitra; Officer -Child Rights, CI to all eminent speakers, dignitaries from Statutory Child Rights Bodies and Caritas India team.