‘Ban or no ban, they’re labouring on’ appeared in the Mumbai edition of ‘Times of India’ on Wednesday, 13 June 2007

India a country of paradoxes

• Indian republic consists of 28 states, each with their own legislature and government

• Federal capital is Delhi – 12 million• Largest city is Mumbai – 14 million• India is prdominately a rural society where

70% of the people live in villages• 40% of the population live below the poverty

line.

Population

Religion

Caste System• The old caste system lives on, particularly in rural

areas• This system is deeply rooted in India’s early

history and originally defined people according to four main groups social groups; – Priests and teachers– Warriors– Merchants and farmers– Servants and bonded peasants

• Today much more complex system where surnames indicate caste

Who are Dalits?

• The Dalits are the 'outcastes' of Hindu society often called the "untouchables". They are deemed to be worth less than animals, making them the object of abuse, exploitation and oppression. For millennia the untouchables have accepted their fate, believing they had done unspeakable acts in previous lives, that God did not love them, that they were born to serve the upper castes and that they had no rights. Today, this is changing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUwKXIQ5kM&feature=related

Child Labour in India

DocumentaryChild Labour in India

• World Vision Australia gives you an insight into Child Labour. 280 million children in the world are involved in Child Labour, India is home to the largest number of child labourers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJXfILoTEXQ

Definition

• Child labour is work that is likely to interfere with a child’s education and development; labour that exceeds a minimum number of hours, labour that is hazardous; and/or labour performed by a child who is underage according to legislation. A child is considered a person under the age of 18 years (UNICEF, 2009)

Forms of child labour

• organised begging• domestic work• bonded child labour• fishing industry• food processing• sex industry

• construction• brick making• agriculture• child soldiers• textiles• tourism, including sex

tourism.

Child labour versus child work

There is a difference between child labour and otherwork that children do. If a child is above the minimumlabour age, paid fairly and the work does not interferewith their health, schooling and development, thenTheir participation in work can be beneficial. It can contribute to the welfare of their family whileequipping them with skills and experience that can leadto them becoming a productive adult member ofsociety.

Statistics

All countries except the United States and Somalia have ratifiedthe UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite this:• 280 mil children (5-17 y.o.) are working in child labour• Of these 126 mil. work in the worst forms of child labour • The majority (122 mil) are in the Asia Pacific region• A further 63 million are in sub-Saharan Africa• Poor children and children from rural areas are most likely to be

engaged in child labour.• Child domestic labour also has a gender element as those

burdened with household chores are generally girls. These girls are also particularly vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse (UNICEF, 2009).

Why the problem persists

• Child labour is tolerated in communities where the• prevailing public view downplays the dangers of

children• working or where it has become part of culture,• tradition or family expectations. Poor enforcement of• labour laws, corruption and weak protection (e.g. low• ratio of labour inspectors to places of employment) are• all factors contributing to child labour.

Why the problem persists

Child labour is attractive to employers motivated byprofit because children are easier to control, exploitand they are more compliant. Children are lesslikely to demand higher wages or improvedworking conditions. Also, when employers pay lowwages this can lead to cheaper products and theseare more attractive to consumers.

Combating child labour

In order to tackle child labour, issues associated with poverty need to be addressed. These include

• Human rights violations, • Barriers to education, • Gender inequality,• Health and socio-economic issues.

Combating child labour

• Involves political will• Cultural change• Children are less likely to need to work if there

is government commitment to ensuring adult workers are paid adequate salaries.

Number of aborted girls calculated over last 3 decades using the 1991, 2001 and 2011 Census of India.

4-12 million girls aborted over the last 3 decades

1980 1990 2000 2010

Census 1991 Census 2001 Census 2011

0 to 2.0 M aborted girls 1.2 to 4.1 M

aborted girls 3.1 to 6.0 M aborted girlsCGHR.ORG/GIRLS

Twitter: @CGHR_org

1980-2010 totals:4 to 12 M aborted girls

Child sex ratio of girls to boys at ages 0-6 in 2001 and 2011 for the districts of India

CGHR.ORG/GIRLSTwitter: @CGHR_org

CGHR.ORG/GIRLSTwitter: @CGHR_org

Conclusions- Selective abortion of girls has increased in last two decades-Selective abortion more common among the most wealthy, and most educated households- 4.2 to 12.1 million or M girls aborted from 1980-2010

- About 3.1 to 6.0 M in the 2000s (~1/2 of total)- About 1.2 to 4.1 M in the 1990s- About 0 to 2.0 M in the 1980s

-Risk of selective abortion of girls is highest in families with a first daughter- Selective abortion of girls is now common all over India