Jun 124 min read

World Day Against Child Labour: Challenging the Exploitation of Black Children in Latin America and Beyond

On this World Day Against Child Labour, it is crucial to address the ways in which child labour exploitation disproportionately affects Black children in regions of extreme poverty and high socioeconomic segregation, such as in Latin America, not just in Africa. At AfroResistance, we focus our work on the intersection of multiple socioeconomic and racial factors that perpetuate this severe global problem.

Child labour, particularly hazardous work, remains a painful reality for millions of children worldwide. While it is true that many children participate in non-harmful work, the real challenge is the work that compromises their overall development. In regions of Latin America, such as Colombia and Panama, structural issues like forced displacement, informal employment, and insufficient regulations force numerous children into exploitative conditions. These factors are exacerbated for Afro-descendant children, who often face increased vulnerability due to racial discrimination and social exclusion.

Socio-Demographic Segregation

The socio-demographic segregation of the Afro-descendant population in capital and major cities of Latin America also plays a crucial role in perpetuating child labour. In cities like Cali, Bogotá, and Panama, Afro-descendant communities are often concentrated in marginalized neighborhoods where access to basic services, quality education, and economic opportunities is extremely limited. This geographic and social segregation exacerbates conditions of poverty and vulnerability, pushing many children to work to support their families.

According to UNICEF data, in the poorest countries of the world, more than one in five children is involved in some form of child labour. In Latin America, this figure is particularly high in rural areas and Afro-descendant communities, where children often work in dangerous conditions in agriculture, mining, and domestic work.

Strategies for Sustainable Change

To effectively combat this issue, it is essential to implement an intersectional approach that recognizes how race, social class, and access to resources interact, creating conditions that facilitate child labour. At AfroResistance, we propose strengthening educational and legislative frameworks to better protect children, ensuring not only their right to education but also their protection from labour exploitation.

We also propose the active participation of affected communities in the design and implementation of strategies, ensuring that solutions are culturally relevant and effectively address the specific needs of children and their families. This includes strengthening local leadership and developing policies that address the roots of poverty and inequality.

Intersectional Approach in the Fight Against Child Labour

At AfroResistance, we promote an intersectional approach that considers the multiple identities and factors intersecting in the lives of working children. This includes analyzing how race, social class, and access to resources intertwine to create conditions that promote child labour. Through this approach, we seek to better understand and act on the deep roots of child labour exploitation, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and effective.

Race and social class are two critical factors deeply intertwined in perpetuating child labour. Afro-descendant children, for example, face additional barriers due to racial discrimination and structural poverty. The intersection of these two dimensions makes these children particularly vulnerable to labour exploitation. Racial discrimination can limit access to well-paying jobs for adults in their families, increasing the need for children to contribute economically from a young age.

Gender also plays an important role in shaping the work experiences of children. Afro-descendant girls, for example, often face cultural expectations that force them to perform unpaid domestic work in addition to their participation in economic labour activities. This double burden of domestic and labour work can be detrimental to their physical, emotional, and educational development.

Unequal access to resources and basic services, such as education, health, and social protection, aggravates the situation of working children. In marginalized and segregated communities, the lack of quality schools, health programs, and social support services leaves children with few alternatives to child labour. At AfroResistance, we advocate for policies that ensure equitable access to these resources for all communities, regardless of their racial or socioeconomic composition.

Implementing Inclusive Solutions

Through our intersectional approach, we seek to better understand and act on the deep roots of child labour exploitation, ensuring that solutions are inclusive and effective. This includes developing public policies that address structural inequalities, as well as community programs that empower families and strengthen the social fabric. By recognizing and addressing the multiple dimensions of oppression affecting working children, we can develop more holistic and sustainable interventions that truly transform their lives.

Call to Action

This June 12, as we commemorate World Day Against Child Labour, we reaffirm our commitment from AfroResistance to combat the structures of oppression that perpetuate child labour. We invite all sectors of society to join this vital fight, where every action counts towards eradicating child labour exploitation and building a future where all children can fully enjoy their childhood and fundamental rights.

This blog highlights the urgency of working collaboratively and with a deep understanding of the intersectional dynamics affecting children in contexts of impoverishment and discrimination. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of children, ensuring their human rights are respected and promoting a safe and educational childhood for all.

References

UNICEF. "Child Labour: Global estimates 2020, trends and the road forward". Disponible en: UNICEF 1 y en UNICEF 2
DW. Fuerte aumento del trabajo infantil en África en: DWPOLITICA

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