Evangelical groups call for end of child exploitation as UN highlights global crisis: 138 million children forced to work – www.christiandaily.com

Report on Child Labour and the Urgency for Sustainable Development Goal Achievement

Introduction: A Global Crisis Impeding SDG 8

A recent United Nations report by Special Rapporteur Tomoya Obokata has highlighted the persistent crisis of child labour, revealing that an estimated 138 million children remain in exploitative work, with 54 million engaged in hazardous conditions. This situation presents a significant obstacle to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Target 8.7, which calls for the immediate eradication of the worst forms of child labour. In response, the World Evangelical Alliance and The Salvation Army have issued a joint call to action, urging governments to intensify efforts to protect children and address the systemic drivers of exploitation.

Key Findings of the UN Special Rapporteur’s Report

The Scale of Exploitation: A Direct Challenge to SDG Targets

The report underscores the failure to meet global commitments to protect children. The findings directly challenge progress towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): An estimated 138 million children are subjected to child labour, directly contravening Target 8.7’s goal to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2025.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): The prevalence of child exploitation, including forced recruitment into armed conflicts and sexual abuse, undermines Target 16.2, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): Child labour is a primary barrier to education. In Tanzania’s Geita mining region, for example, 96% of school absenteeism is directly linked to child labour, preventing the realization of universal primary and secondary education.

Forms of Child Labour and Their SDG Implications

The report details various forms of exploitation, each with severe consequences for child development and the broader sustainable development agenda.

1. Hazardous Labour: Found in sectors like agriculture, mining, and construction, this work exposes children to long hours and toxic substances, violating principles of decent work (SDG 8).
2. Sexual Exploitation: Described as “rampant” and amplified by digital technologies, this form of abuse disproportionately affects girls, hindering progress on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16.2.
3. Recruitment in Armed Conflict: With over 8,600 children used in conflicts in 2023, this practice is a grave violation of human rights and a direct impediment to achieving peace and justice (SDG 16).

Root Causes and Recommended Actions for SDG Acceleration

Systemic Drivers of Child Labour

The Special Rapporteur identified several interconnected root causes that must be addressed to make meaningful progress on the SDGs. These include:

• Poverty and Economic Insecurity (SDG 1: No Poverty): Lack of access to just work conditions and social protection for parents forces children into labour.
• Insufficient Access to Education (SDG 4: Quality Education): The absence of free, accessible, and quality education leaves children vulnerable to exploitation.
• Inequality and Discrimination (SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities): Children from marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by exploitation.
• Conflict and Instability (SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Humanitarian crises and armed conflicts heighten children’s vulnerability.

A Multi-Stakeholder Call to Action

The report and the subsequent statement from civil society organizations outline a clear path forward, emphasizing a holistic approach aligned with the principles of the 2030 Agenda.

Recommendations for Governments and Stakeholders:

1. Intensify Efforts to Prevent Child Labour: Prioritize the eradication of the worst forms of child labour in line with SDG Target 8.7.
2. Ensure Universal Access to Education: Fulfill commitments under SDG 4 by providing free and compulsory education as a primary preventative measure.
3. Provide Family Support: Address the root cause of poverty (SDG 1) by ensuring parents have access to decent work and social protection.
4. Strengthen Protection Systems: Implement robust, child-sensitive identification systems and remedies, affirming the “non-punishment principle” for victims of trafficking to ensure justice (SDG 16).
5. Foster Community-Based Strategies (SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals): Mobilize local networks, including faith-based organizations and community leaders, to prevent exploitation and support families.

The joint statement by the World Evangelical Alliance and The Salvation Army concluded with an urgent appeal for unity and action, affirming that the inherent worth of every child must be protected to create a lived reality consistent with the universal promise of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on the multifaceted issue of child labor and its root causes. The following SDGs are directly connected to the content:

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The entire article is centered on the issue of child labor, which is a primary concern of SDG 8. It discusses the prevalence of child labor, including its worst forms like hazardous work, which directly contradicts the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is relevant due to the article’s discussion of exploitation, violence, and trafficking of children. The text mentions “sexual exploitation, and forced recruitment into armed conflicts,” and calls for the protection of children from abuse. It also highlights the “non-punishment principle” for victims of trafficking, which relates to building just and effective institutions.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The article establishes a clear link between child labor and the lack of education. It quotes the UN Special Rapporteur stating that “Ensuring universal access to education and vocational training is an essential first step” to prevent child labor. The example from Tanzania, where “96% of school absenteeism is linked directly to child labour,” further reinforces this connection.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The article explicitly identifies poverty as a root cause of child labor. It mentions the need to “confront systemic poverty that fuels exploitation” and supports providing families with “an adequate standard of living, thereby reducing the need for their children to work.” This directly aligns with the goal of ending poverty in all its forms everywhere.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.7 (under SDG 8): “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”
   • Explanation: The article’s core focus is on ending the “worst forms of child labour,” with specific figures on children in hazardous work, sexual exploitation, and forced recruitment into armed conflicts, directly mirroring the language and intent of this target.
2. Target 16.2 (under SDG 16): “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.”
   • Explanation: The article details various forms of child exploitation, including “sexual exploitation,” “recruitment into armed conflicts,” and subjection to “hazardous labor.” The mention of online sexual abuse, sextortion, and the vulnerability of children in conflict settings directly addresses the components of this target.
3. Target 4.1 (under SDG 4): “By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.”
   • Explanation: The article advocates for “universal access to education” as a primary tool to combat child labor. The statistic that “96% of school absenteeism is linked directly to child labour” in Geita, Tanzania, highlights the direct conflict between child labor and achieving universal education, making this target highly relevant.
4. Target 1.2 (under SDG 1): “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.”
   • Explanation: The article identifies “poverty” and the lack of an “adequate standard of living” for families as root causes that push children into labor. The call to “confront systemic poverty” and provide economic support to families aligns with the objective of reducing poverty to protect vulnerable children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

• Indicator for Target 8.7: The article provides explicit numbers that align with Indicator 8.7.1 (“Proportion and number of children aged 5–17 years engaged in child labour, by sex and age group”).
  • The global estimate of “138 million children remain subjected to child labour worldwide.”
  • The number of children in hazardous work: “54 million in hazardous forms.”
  • Regional data for Sub-Saharan Africa: “an estimated 86.6 million—are forced to work.”
  • National data for Tanzania: “4.2 million children are subjected to the worst forms of child labour.”
  • The number of children used in conflicts: “at least 8,600 children used in conflicts in 2023.”
• Indicator for Target 16.2: The article mentions statistics related to child exploitation.
  • The estimated number of victims of online sexual abuse: “an estimated 302 million victims in 2024.” This serves as a measure of the prevalence of online exploitation.
• Indicator for Target 4.1: The article implies an indicator related to school attendance.
  • The statistic from the Geita region in Tanzania, where “96% of school absenteeism is linked directly to child labour,” can be used as an indicator to measure the impact of child labor on education and, conversely, how reducing child labor improves school attendance rates.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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