Staff Reporter
SHILLONG:
SPARK, Shillong-based NGO, organised week-long programmes with an aim to eradicate child labour.
The organisation called for investments into social safety nets and programmes to protect children from being forced into child labour.
This year’s theme is “Universal Social Protection to End Child Labour”.
As per sources, with the advent of the coronavirus pandemic and global crisis, there has been a drastic surge in child labour across the globe due to employment woes.
For last 12 years, SPARK has been working with the children making every effort to rescue children from child labour and all other forms of child exploitation.
The organisation also works to send rescued children back to school and give them a platform for fulfilling their aims in life.
The week-long programmes were organised at Bara Bazar slum, Mawlynrei Trianshnong, Mawlong Umsawli Village, Rangmen Village and Mawphor Pongkung village with the objective to spread awareness among the communities about this social evil of child labour which ruins the lives of the children snatching away their beautiful childhood and pushing them into the darkness of abuse and exploitation.
Shima Modak sensitised the communities on their role and responsibilities to eradicate this illegal practice of child labour that still prevails. She also spoke to the parents about parenting and caring towards the development and welfare of their children.
SPARK also carried out signature campaign and film screening on child labour with children holding posters raising their voice against violation of their rights.
Besides, a number of children being engaged as child labour were brought back to education and enrolled in SPARK Educational Centres. They are now holding school bags instead of rags.