5 more Pathfinder Countries leading the fight against child labour
How to design a country-specific approach to ending child labour
We’re highlighting some of the 2021 Action Pledges we’ve received. Get inspired by these short stories about how governments, UN agencies, NGOs, universities, organizations, tripartite partners, and many more are joining the global movement for children.
What are Pathfinder Countries?
Pathfinder Countries go further and faster to achieve Target 8.7 of the SDGs: They “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.”
How does the initiative work?
Exchanging experiences and good practices among countries can accelerate change. The Pathfinder Country initiative includes over 25 member countries from the Global North and South. They commit to going further and faster towards achieving Target 8.7, and to documenting and sharing experiences and lessons in ending child labour, forced labour, human trafficking and modern slavery.
Here’s what some of our pledge makers are doing:
Malawi
Malawi’s Ministry of Labour is a government institution.
Its 2021 Action Pledge aims to adopt and launch the National Child Labour Advocacy and Communication Strategy (NCLAS) and build media and stakeholder capacity for implementation.
“Families and communities need to be sensitized to understand the harm that child labour inflicts on children. Equipped with the right knowledge, parents and guardians can be expected to better protect their children.”
Throughout the year, the Ministry will engage with the media and other stakeholders on a national communication strategy to reach parents, guardians, and communities. Communities will be encouraged to help craft local by-laws on the elimination of child labour.
Mauritania
Mauritania’s Ministry of Public Service and Labour is a government institution.
Its 2021 Action Pledge aims to enact a ministerial decree prohibiting hazardous labour for children in Mauritania.
“The rate of working children in Mauritania is 37%. The practice is increasing substantially due to communities’ lack of information and poverty.”
Throughout the year, the government will hold regional consultations to identify cases of hazardous child labour, raise awareness among communities about the relevant risks, and enforce the law against hazardous child labour.
To learn more, visit Mauritania’s Pathfinder Country webpage and read its 2020 – 2021 Pathfinder progress report (in French).
Mexico
Mexico’s Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is a government institution.
Its 2021 Action Pledge aims to implement a national strategy for training and awareness raising to prevent and eradicate child labour.
“The actors involved in the training will be able to develop the provisions, regulations, policies and national and local actions focused on eradicating child labour.”
Throughout the year, the government will follow a plan of action that includes understanding training needs, launching a pilot course, and scaling up for a broad audience.
To learn more, visit Mexico’s Pathfinder Country webpage and read its 2020-2021 Pathfinder Progress Report (in Spanish).
Nepal
Nepal’s Ministry of Labour and Employment is a government institution.
Its 2021 Action Pledge aims to extend the child labour-free local-level programme to 50 more municipalities. The federal government, alongside employers, trade unions, and other partners, will support local capacity building and mobilize resources.
“Nepal has 753 local governments (known as local levels) which work closely with the people within their territories. The CLF local level programme takes a holistic approach: It provides support on birth registration, vaccination, early childhood development activities, school enrollment, and more to make sure poor and marginalized families do not turn to child labour.”
Throughout the year, local governments and stakeholders will implement the programme, building ownership and promoting sustainability along the way.
To learn more, visit Nepal’s Pathfinder Country webpage and read its 2020-2021 Pathfinder Progress Report.
Tunisia
Tunisia’s Ministry of Social Affairs is a government institution.
Its 2021 Action Pledge aims to develop an intervention guide on child labour, which will detect child labour and prevent at-risk children from falling into the practice.
“We will implement and widely popularize the guide to raise awareness among the general population.”
Throughout the year, the government will set up a system for the coordination and monitoring of children vulnerable to child labour, as well as those currently working.
To learn more, visit Tunisia’s Pathfinder Country webpage.