Child labour is a global issue that requires extensive consideration and cooperation. To find the gaps and close them, it has become critical to highlight the proactive steps that governments and non-governmental organisations are taking to address the issue of child labour prevention. Acknowledging the seriousness of eliminating child labour, there has been a concentrated endeavour to utilise technology.
This article explores the efforts undertaken to improve the opportunities for children’s betterment by governments as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including Bal Raksha Bharat (also known as Save the Children). It investigates revolutionary approaches that use technology to provide children with a better future. Technological developments can significantly contribute to the elimination of child labour through cooperative efforts, providing hope and advancement for all people worldwide.
Traditional Ways to Prevent Child Labour
The government, communities, and NGOs must collaborate and find answers for ‘how to stop child labour in India’. An advanced strategy is required to disrupt the socioeconomic foundations that support this problem. This section centres on the traditional approaches utilised by the Indian Government and other relevant parties in their meticulous endeavour to eradicate child labour.
Child Labour Laws in India
India has responded forcefully to the problem of child labour, to prevent harm to the country’s youth. The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act is a leading legislative initiative that provides the main legal framework for limiting child exploitation and answering how to stop child labour in India. This comprehensive regulation establishes the groundwork for protecting children’s well-being by outright forbidding the employment of minors in dangerous jobs and processes.
The law plays a key role in setting age limits, defining the legal minimum age of employment, and specifying the circumstances in which teenagers can work. Moreover, a significant component of the law is the designation of risky jobs and procedures, which places a particular emphasis on the abolition of hazardous types of child work.
Enforcement and Penalties
The effective enforcement of laws about child labour is the responsibility of the Labour Department. The department conducts regular inspections to find and resolve instances of child labour in various industries. It safeguards children’s rights and their futures by ensuring that the laws are strictly obeyed. It levies severe penalties on a business or a person who hires minors.
Additionally, awareness efforts have been launched to inform communities and companies about the legal ramifications of using child employment. These initiatives highlight the joint duty of all stakeholders in fostering a society that values and nurtures children while attempting to foster a collective commitment to ending child labour.
With its foundation in legislative frameworks and educational empowerment, this all-encompassing approach is set to set the path for a more promising and just future for the youth of this country.
The Role of Technology in Combating Child Labour
In the worldwide struggle to find effective ways to prevent child labour, technology is a powerful ally that provides creative ways to recognise, stop, and end this ongoing problem.
Mobile-based Reporting and Communication Tools
Giving communities access to user-friendly smartphone apps enables them to report suspected cases of child labour to authorities directly, resulting in prompt action and ending the cycle of exploitation.
Financial Inclusion and Social Safety Nets
Integrating families into digital financial systems and providing targeted social safety programmes can provide them with better avenues to make a livelihood. This financial stability reduces dependence on child income, leading to increased school enrollment and unlocking brighter futures for children.
By investing in education, skills, and financial stability, these initiatives create a positive cycle that uplifts families, strengthens communities, and ultimately provides better opportunities for children to enjoy their childhood and have a brighter future.
The Way Forward
The combination of legislative measures, educational initiatives, and technology integration are powerful ways to prevent child labour, aiming to dismantle its socio-economic roots
Governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as Save the Children India, the private sector, communities, and people all play a part in guaranteeing a better future for children.
Creating a society where every child has access to education, safety, and a happy, playful childhood is our joint obligation.
