My Journey with the Global March Against Child Labour
In January 1998, I embarked on a transformative journey as part of the Global March Against Child Labour, starting from Manila, Philippines. This significant period coincided with the birth of my son, Kabeer Karunik, on January 24, 1998. The first leg of the Global March took me through the captivating landscapes of the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia. Among these experiences, bathing in the sea at Sihanoukville in Cambodia remains a cherished memory. After completing this segment of the march, I returned to India to meet my newborn son before resuming my mission from Madrid, Spain.
First Visit to Southeast Asia and Europe
This journey marked my first visit to both Southeast Asia and Europe. From Spain, we proceeded to France, where we had the honor of meeting His Excellency Mr. Jacques Chirac, the President of France, at the Élysée Palace. The meeting was memorable; we enjoyed a gracious lunch and received beautiful pens as gifts. During our interaction, I presented my appeal for the elimination of forced and child labor, particularly in the sporting goods industry, and handed over an English translation of Mr. Gyanendra Pati’s poem titled “Look at Football.” President Chirac was visibly impressed by our dedication and the significance of our mission, a sentiment captured in two photographs from the event.
Living with Families in France
Throughout our stay in France, I lived with families in Girona, Toulouse, Poitiers, and La Rochelle. These experiences deepened my understanding of diverse perspectives and fortified my resolve against exclusion and patriarchy. During this period, I also wrote letters to FIFA and the International Cricket Council (ICC), urging them to eliminate child labor from the sporting goods industry. I was heartened to receive responses from both organizations, acknowledging our concerns and commitments.
A New Chapter for Human Rights
In March 1999, my son Kabeer Karunik visited the office of Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA). Shortly thereafter, in May 1999, I resigned from BBA to pursue my work in human rights, particularly focusing on dignity and combatting the caste system and patriarchy. My efforts underscored a critical observation: bonded labor and child labor were predominantly absent in upper caste communities, highlighting systemic inequalities that needed addressing.
The Mission of the Global March Against Child Labour
The Global March Against Child Labour is a worldwide network of trade unions, teachers, and civil society organizations united in the goal of eliminating and preventing all forms of child labor, slavery, and trafficking. The organization is dedicated to ensuring access to free, meaningful, and high-quality public education for all children.
Global March mobilizes support for various international instruments related to children’s rights and collaborates with the United Nations and other inter-governmental agencies to achieve the following:
- UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Focusing on inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all (Goal 4) and eradicating forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking (Target 8.7).
- International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions: Advocating for the ratification and implementation of the Child Labour Conventions №138 and №182.
- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child: Promoting implementation and follow-up to ensure children’s rights are upheld.
Global March aims to eliminate child labor by addressing and changing the systems that compel children to work at global, regional, and national levels. Advocacy for policy changes is crucial, alongside fulfilling the goals left by the Millennium Development Goals and achieving the SDGs by 2030.
Conclusion
My journey with the Global March Against Child Labour has been one of profound learning, impactful advocacy, and unwavering commitment to children’s rights. The experiences and interactions, from Southeast Asia to Europe, have reinforced the importance of a global, collective effort to eradicate child labor. As we continue to strive for these goals, I remain hopeful for a future where every child can enjoy their right to education, freedom, and dignity.