The Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert Houngbo, warns that the future of millions of children is in jeopardy as they are increasingly withdrawn from education and pushed into labor due to a global economic downturn. Highlighting a “regression” in various regions, he emphasizes the urgent need for action, especially considering the compounding effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, and rising living costs.
Houngbo notes that some of the most severe cases involve sexual exploitation, with families grappling with the economic fallout resorting to desperate measures. Citing data from early 2020 revealing 160 million children facing child labor, he expresses concern that global efforts to eradicate this issue have stalled for the first time in two decades.
The squeeze on living expenses, exacerbated by factors like the conflict in Ukraine causing spikes in food and energy prices, has pushed some families to the brink. Houngbo points out instances where parents, struggling to make ends meet, compel their children into sex work as a means of financial support.
In Mombasa, Kenya, a 14-year-old girl shares her plight, forced to seek employment to help her family afford basic necessities and school fees. She describes engaging in various tasks, including sex work, washing clothes, and hair braiding. Despite her desire for education, hunger often impedes her ability to concentrate in school.
Her mother, grappling with unemployment since the pandemic, expresses the heartbreak of witnessing her child resort to such measures. Struggling to sustain the family by washing clothes, she dreams of a better future for her daughter but faces financial constraints.
Nearby, a brothel owner reports a surge in business, with an increasing number of desperate young girls seeking ways to alleviate their financial struggles. The grim reality reflects a pressing need for comprehensive and swift action to protect the rights and well-being of these vulnerable children.
Mr. Houngbo emphasized that the surge in child labor is prevalent across low-, middle-, and high-income countries, spanning various sectors such as agriculture, mining, and construction. He pointed out that the underlying issue is poverty.
Diverse circumstances exist in different nations, yet Unicef highlights inflation and the escalating cost of living as a “universal concern” impacting children in numerous ways. Natalia Winder-Rossi from Unicef noted that families, out of desperation, resort to detrimental choices affecting children both in the short and long term.
In various countries, economic challenges are adversely affecting children. In Sidon, Lebanon, youngsters disclosed leaving school to assist their families. Alaa, a 14-year-old, who now works cleaning houses, lamented the loss of his dream of becoming a teacher. Unicef reports that over 10% of Lebanese families enlist their children for work due to the country’s economic collapse.
Despite the concerning situation, Mr. Houngbo expressed optimism, asserting that tailored approaches are needed. Solutions should encompass policies addressing education, job creation, and combating illicit industries. He called on governments to take decisive actions promptly.
