The fight against child exploitation is championed by several organisations, such as UNICEF, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the United Nations (UN). Over the last few decades all three have been striving to have the problem recognised by world governments, and they have also been pushing for legislation that should offer protection for children all over the globe.
In 1989 the UN put together the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which outlined the right of children to be protected from economic exploitation, and also the right to be protected from having to perform jobs that could be hazardous to their health or well-being. It also called for a minimum age of employment to be agreed and adhered to. The ILO supports the UN’s policy, and has stated that they believe the minimum age of employment for children should be no younger than fifteen. This in effect should guarantee the child the right to a childhood, and potentially the right to an adequate education. In 2000 the UN followed up their Convention with the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. This protocol became known as the Palermo Protocol, and was instigated to stem the tide of child exploitation. In 2003 UNICEF introduced the End Child Exploitation campaign which went on to 2005 and pressured the UK government into agreeing to legislation that would guarantee a level of protection for child victims of trafficking, which was eventually agreed to in 2007. This was in place with the Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking in Human Beings, which the UK has yet to sign, ratify, or implement.
Sadly, although there is legislation in place that should force governments to be more stringent with monitoring and controls, child exploitation continues. The best way to get involved in the fight against child exploitation is by standing up and making yourself heard – lobby your local council, your government, and join organisations such as UNICEF.
In 1989 the UN put together the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which outlined the right of children to be protected from economic exploitation, and also the right to be protected from having to perform jobs that could be hazardous to their health or well-being. It also called for a minimum age of employment to be agreed and adhered to. The ILO supports the UN’s policy, and has stated that they believe the minimum age of employment for children should be no younger than fifteen. This in effect should guarantee the child the right to a childhood, and potentially the right to an adequate education. In 2000 the UN followed up their Convention with the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. This protocol became known as the Palermo Protocol, and was instigated to stem the tide of child exploitation. In 2003 UNICEF introduced the End Child Exploitation campaign which went on to 2005 and pressured the UK government into agreeing to legislation that would guarantee a level of protection for child victims of trafficking, which was eventually agreed to in 2007. This was in place with the Council of Europe Convention on Trafficking in Human Beings, which the UK has yet to sign, ratify, or implement.
Sadly, although there is legislation in place that should force governments to be more stringent with monitoring and controls, child exploitation continues. The best way to get involved in the fight against child exploitation is by standing up and making yourself heard – lobby your local council, your government, and join organisations such as UNICEF.