Civil society’s campaign against child labor and its socio-cultural determinants: A Sociological Investigation

Abstract

The practice of child labor is a global phenomenon and one inhuman practice that violates the natural rights of a child. Many studies have been written on the subject including causes, consequences and how the problem should be combated. Despite covering myriad aspects of the issue, the studies have not successfully highlighted how NGOs are tackling the problem at the grassroots by looking at the issue in its entirety and have set roadmaps to fight the problem. So, therefore, this aspect of assessing NGOs’ efforts becomes an area of study. The current study uses descriptive design to find out how NGOs looking at the issue of child labor, have in fact, launched unique campaigns and initiatives that look at the problem holistically and their attempts at combating the problem have shown results in the communities they work so much so they have set a road map for these marginalized communities to follow. Some NGOs are doing such exemplary work in this field that they have gained international recognition and are a role model for other NGOs working in the field to emulate. These NGOs while looking at the problem holistically have initiated efforts to look at the socio-cultural factors that give birth to and breed the problem of child labor. The efforts launched by these NGOs have successfully attempted to tackle the socio-cultural factors of these child labor afflicted communities so much so that these communities are now gradually becoming self reliant and focusing on educating their children rather than sending them to work.