Child Exploitation

Child Labour

IFM-ECOSY-IUSY Campaign against child labourMillions of children around the world have to work to support themselves and their families, especially in South Asia and Africa. Many do light or part-time work, but others are involved in dangerous or exploitative labour that harms their development, wrecks their health and denies them an education. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has estimated that 250 million children between the ages of five and fourteen work in developing countries, at least 120 million of these on a full time basis.  IFM-SEI's long-term goal is to abolish child labour in all its forms.  We are realistic however, and therefore support the new ILO convention to tackle the worst forms of child labour.  We demand that all countries who have not yet ratified ILO convention 182  do so!

In particular, IFM-SEI wishes to see laws that tackle:
  1. All forms of slavery and practices similar to slavery such as the sale and trafficking of children, forced or compulsory labour, debt bondage and serfdom.
  2. The use, procurement or offering of children for prostitution, for the production of pornography or for pornographic performances.
  3. The use, procurement or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular the production and trafficking of drugs.
  4. Work that by the nature of the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardise the health, safety and well-being of children.
  5. The use of children in armed conflicts
  6. Work that deprives children access to education.

A comprehensive approach
Laws specifically covering child labour are not enough.  A comprehensive approach is called for.  Free primary education must be guaranteed to all children as specified in the Millennium Development Goals.  This education should include financial support to families to ensure they have no financial incentive to encourage their children to work.  IFM-SEI is opposed to the privatisation of education, all children world-wide must be offered equal opportunities.

Consumers in the Global north must also play their part in ending child labour. The expectation that prices should continue to decrease in the global north only perpetuates the problem and leads to more children being forced to work.  To stand against child labour is to stand for ethical and conscious consumption!

Child Sexual Exploitation
The commercial sexual exploitation of children is child sexual abuse in exchange for some sort of payment, either money or favours. The term includes child prostitution, child pornography and the sale and trafficking of children for sexual purposes. These acts violate children's rights and are very serious crimes, cited in the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention 1999 (No.182) as worst forms of child labour that must be eliminated without delay.

It is impossible to know the true extent of the problem because of its hidden and illegal nature. The ILO estimate that there are as many as 1.8 million children exploited in prostitution or pornography worldwide. While the age that a child becomes involved may be quite young, 15 to 17-year olds are the most affected. Most are girls, but a significant number are boys.

As is the case for other worst forms of child labour, severe poverty, a cultural obligation to help support the family or the need to earn money to simply survive are all factors that make children vulnerable to commercial sexual exploitation. They may believe that this will be a way of earning more money than in other jobs, or it may appear the only option available. For many children, they have no choice in the matter as they are tricked or bullied by adults into this work.

Child Trafficking
Child trafficking means moving children to another place, either within or outside their own country, for the purpose of exploitation. Many are forced to work as prostitutes or in the pornography industry, while others enter forced marriage contracts. Children may be deceived or coerced into being transported or they may be sold to the traffickers in exchange for money. Some children leave their countries willingly in the hopes of a better life, but end up in situations where their health and safety are in danger.

Child Prostitution
Child prostitution means using children for sex in return for money. Children may turn to prostitution when they have no other options for earning money. HIV/AIDS has increased demand for ever younger child prostitutes, in the mistaken belief that they present a much lower risk of infection.

Child Pornography
Child pornography means photos and videos of children which are used by adults for sexual purposes. The use of children in the production of pornography is sexual exploitation and there is a clear linkage between the pornography of children and sexual abuse. The Internet has made it increasingly easy for adults to get hold of these images, without being caught.