Founder of the Nadisco Foundation, an NGO focused on helping the needy, Hajia Nadia Abbas Alhassan IV, has indicated that child labour remains a pervasive issue deeply entrenched in poverty, lack of education, and social disparities.
“Child labour is not just a simple problem with a single solution, it is deeply rooted in the socio-economic challenges that many communities face, and eradicating it requires a comprehensive strategy that addresses these underlying issues,” she said.
Speaking in a telephone inteview with the Ghanaian Times yesterday, Hajia Alhassan IV, who is also a staunch advocate for children’s and women’s rights, emphasised the necessity of addressing the multifaceted nature of child labour through a comprehensive approach.
Education, Hajia Alhassan IV stressed, stands out as a fundamental pillar in the fight against child labor, adding that providing free, quality education to all children, particularly those in impoverished regions, was crucial.
Education she said not only empowered children but also diminishes the economic pressures that often drive families to rely on child labour as a means of survival.
Legislation and enforcement, according to her, also play a crucial role in eradicating the menace.
She therefore called for the strengthening of laws that prohibit child labor, establishing minimum working ages, and regulating working conditions.
However, she stressed that effective law enforcement was equally vital to ensure compliance and deter exploitative practices.
Hajia Alhassan IV further underscored the significance of poverty alleviation as a key strategy in addressing the root causes of child labor.
“By implementing programmes that reduce poverty, create economic opportunities for families, and ensure fair wages for adults, the economic necessity for child labor can be alleviated.”
“Social protection programmes, including cash transfers and access to healthcare, also provide vital support to vulnerable families, reducing the need for children to work, ” she added.
According to Hajia Alhassan IV, raising awareness and advocating for children’s rights at all levels, remained crucial in the fight against child labour.
“By highlighting the negative consequences of child labour and mobilisng support for eradication efforts, progress can be made in safeguarding the rights of children globally,” She said.
She also stressed the importance of supply chain transparency, community engagement, monitoring and reporting mechanisms, and international cooperation in the comprehensive approach to eradicating the unacceptable practice.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU