Press Statement On World Day Against Child Labor- 12 June 2009

“Give Girls a Chance: End Child Labour”

DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights joins the rest of the world in commemorating World Day Against Child Labour on 12 June 2009. The annual event aims to promote public awareness and action to eliminate child labour around the world. This year marks the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the landmark International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention No. 182 which focuses on the need for action against the worst forms of child labour.   The upcoming World Day will celebrate the progress made in the past ten years, as well as highlight the continuing challenges with a focus on girls in child labour.

According to the ILO, an estimated 100 million girls around the world are involved in child labour.  Many of these girls undertake similar types of work as boys, but endure additional hardships and face extra risks.  More specifically, girls can experience disadvantages due to discrimination and practices which allocate certain forms of work to girls. This can have a negative impact on school attendance as well as present a physical danger.

In Botswana, the government is committed to ensuring that all children are protected against economic exploitation.  Although the Employment Act establishes specific regulations aimed at combating child labour, more needs to be done in order to ensure that the protective regulations are being adhered to. Across the country, it is currently understood that girls are acutely susceptible when it comes to exploitive child labour.  Reports indicate that in addition to the inequitable labour practices reserved for girls, girls are also exploited into commercial sex work

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DITSHWANELO urges the Government of Botswana to further address the issue of child labour whilst placing particular emphasis on the protection of the rights of girls.   We call upon the Government of Botswana to take affirmative steps to ensure the enforcement of child labour regulations and promote a national legal framework that protects the most vulnerable members of our society.

12 June 2009
Gaborone

or more information, please contact DITSHWANELO – The Botswana Centre for Human Rights at Tel: 267 390 6998 Fax: 267 3907778, Website: www.ditshwanelo.info.bw, Email:admin.ditshwanelo@info.bw/ditshwanelo-myfuturetoday@info.org.bw