Dimapur, June 12 (EMN): In pursuance to the call of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to end child labour by 2025, organisations in Nagaland including Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO), Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) and Nagaland chapter of National Domestic Workers Welfare Trust (NDWWT) and Community Educational Centre Society (CECS) observed the ‘World Day Against Child Labour’ on June 12 on the theme “Act now; End child labour.”
The day is observed to draw awareness on the international issues of child labour and to develop solutions. The day is also observed to raise knowledge about the negative mental and physical impact on child labour across the world.
The day also brings together governments, employers and worker organisations, civil society as well as millions of people from around the world to highlight the plight of child labourers.
Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation (NVCO) observes the ‘World Day Against Child Labour’ at the state capital Kohima.
Speaking at the programme, NVCO president Kezhokhoto Savi, who is also a law practitioner, presented several laws/ acts that protect a child from child labour etc.
Expounding on the phrase “Child is the father of man,” Savi asserted that to enable father to be a valiant and vibrant man, the child must be groomed well in the formative years of his life. He added that a child must receive education and knowledge in order to become a responsible citizen in the society.
Savi was also of the opinion that a child of today would not be able to develop into a responsible and productive member of tomorrow’s society without providing an environment which is conducive to his social and physical health.
“Neglecting the children means loss to the society as a whole,” Savi said.
In a related programme, Assisi Centre for Integrated Development (ACID) and the Nagaland chapter of National Domestic Workers Welfare Trust (NDWWT) have jointly observed the ‘World Day Against Child Labour’ at Assisi ground.
Speaking on the theme, Sr. Pramila, coordinator of NDWWT Nagaland chapter, has highlighted the enormous responsibilities bestowed upon every citizen to end child labour. She, therefore, has sought the support of everyone in the fight against child labour.
Besides, she stated that the pandemic has made the lives of those child labourers miserable. She explained that many children ended up as child labour not on their own volition but due to family condition.
To those who have child domestic help, she has asked to ponder on questions such as “How do I treat them? Do I pay just wages? Do I give their basic rights? Am I interested in their holistic growth?” She added that by asking those questions to oneself, then only one would be able light a small candle at the corner of the world to end child labour.
Meanwhile, the organisers have expressed gratitude to NDWWT for the support in their endeavours towards the welfare of children in educating them their rights and building their personality through capacity building programmes.
Also commemorating the ‘World Day Against Child Labour,’ Community Educational Centre Society (CECS) at Grace Colony in Kuda ‘C,’ Dimapur, organised an online drawing competition on the theme "Act now, end child labour."
An update from the society stated that a total of 118 participants from two schools namely Community Education Centre School (CEC School) in Dimapur and Rajeshwari Karuna School (RKS) in Tuli took part in the competition.
It added that Arozen Aier from RKS Tuli won the first prize, while Deepak Battacharjee from CEC School, Dimapur, and Yashmin Khan from RKS Tuli won the second and third prizes respectively.
It mentioned that CECS, founded in 2005, has been pioneering the fight against child labour in various platforms and capacities. CECS is also the nodal organisation for Childline Nagaland working towards ensuring safety and protection of all kinds of children in need of care and protection.