#EndChildLabour2021

Africa marked the World Day Against Child Labour in Africa and the Day of the African Child!

The African Union, ILO and UNICEF held a virtual Continental event to mark the World Day against Child Labour. The event brought together key actors, who discussed strategies to address child labour, taking a holistic and systemic approach based on the 2020 Global Estimates on Child Labour and related recommendations, which had been launched by the ILO and UNICEF on 10 June.

Act now: end child labour!
United Nations member States renewed their commitment with the adoption of UN Resolution 72/327 that declares 2021 as the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour. In 2021, the global community fighting child labour and forced labour will need to address the challenges posed by COVID-19 and accelerate progress towards the SDG targets in 2025 and 2030.

The 2021 international year propels momentum towards the V Global Conference on Child Labour (VGC) that will take place in South Africa in 2022, where stakeholders will share experiences and make additional commitments towards ending child labour in all its forms by 2025, and forced labour, human trafficking and modern slavery by 2030.

For the African Union, the 2021 is also dedicated to culture and arts, giving an opportunity to leverage cultural events in support to the implementation of the AU Action plan.

The African Union, ILO and UNICEF organised the virtual Continental event to mark the World Day against Child Labour. The event brought together key actors, who discussed strategies to address child labour, taking a holistic and systemic approach to ending child labour, based on the 2020 Global Estimates on Child Labour and related recommendations, which had been launched by the ILO and UNICEF on 10 June.

Follow the event live

The recording file of the event is here, and registration link for participants here 

Agenda

Moderated by Ms Nozipho Tshabalala, Conversation Strategist

11.00- 11.20 GMT

Opening segment

• Ms Brenda Kisaka, Advocate against child labour, Tanzania
• Dr Edward Addai, UNICEF Representative to the African Union and Economic Commission to Africa
• Ms Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwon, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Africa
• H.E. Amira El Fadil, African Union Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development

11.20- 11.35 GMT

Presentation of the 2020 Global Estimates on Child Labour and policy recommendations by ILO and UNICEF

Michaelle De Cock, Head, Research and Evaluation Unit, FUNDAMENTALS, ILO

Claudia Cappa, Statistics Specialist, Data and Analytics Section, UNICEF

11.35- 12.20 GMT

Panel discussion: What should we do to accelerate progress against child labour in Africa

Mr. Oumar Diop, Senior Policy Advisor, Directorate for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, African Union Commission
Mr. Arezki Mezhoud, Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Trade Union Unity (OATUU)
Mr. Douglas Opio, Executive Director of the Federation of Uganda Employers
Dr. Chimimba David Phiri, FAO Subregional Coordinator for Eastern Africa and FAO Representative to the African Union
Mr. Mukulia Kennedy Ayason, Policy Officer-Rural Infrastructure & Marketing, Directorate for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy and Sustainable Development, African Union Commission
Mr. Mesfin Yilma, Labour inspection and OSH Director, Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of Ethiopia
Mr. Mahama Ouedraogo, Director for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, African Union
Mr. Charles Ogolla, Statistician, Intergovernmental Authority on Development Secretariat (IGAD)
H.E. Kapinga Yvette Ngandu, Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Economic Community of Central African States (ECASS)

12.20-12-30

Performance by the winners of the Music against Child Labour Competion.