Fighting Child Labor in India - IKEA Foundation and Save the Children

Summary

The video discusses the efforts of the IKEA Foundation in combating child labor in India. Since 2009, in partnership with Save the Children India, IKEA has focused on reducing child labor and increasing educational opportunities in regions like Gujarat and Maharashtra, reaching over 500,000 children. Expanding to three more states—Punjab, Karnataka, and Rajasthan—the foundation's new €7 million grant aims to support 800,000 children, emphasizing the empowerment of girls. The initiative highlights the long-term commitment needed to protect children's rights and give them access to education and a safe childhood.

Takeaways

• 🌎 The northern part of India is a major center for small-scale cotton farming, where millions of families live in cotton-growing communities.
• 🚸 Many children in these communities face limited opportunities and are at risk of being used for child labor instead of attending school.
• 💪 Since 2000, the IKEA Foundation has been actively involved in combating the root causes of child labor in India.
• 🤝 In 2009, the IKEA Foundation partnered with Save the Children India to launch a long-term program aimed at protecting children from child labor.
• 📚 The program initially started in Gujarat and Maharashtra and has positively impacted over 500,000 children in these states.
• 👩‍🏫 More than 2,000 teachers have been trained, and 150,000 children have been moved from labor to classrooms.
• 🏠 The program has also helped reunite 10,000 migrant children with their families in their home communities.
• 🔄 Building on this success, the program is now expanding to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan with a €7 million donation from the IKEA Foundation.
• 👧 The expanded programs will also focus on improving conditions for girls within their families and communities.
• 🎓 The ultimate goal is to provide children with the opportunity to realize their full potential and reclaim their childhood, which had been at risk due to labor and exploitation.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the cotton industry in northern India?

The northern part of India is a global center for small-scale cotton growing, with millions of families living in cotton communities.

What are the challenges children face in cotton-growing communities in India?

Children in these communities grow up with limited opportunities and are at risk of being used for child labor instead of attending school.

How has the IKEA Foundation been involved in combating child labor in India?

Since 2000, the IKEA Foundation has been active in India, addressing the root causes of child labor. In 2009, they partnered with Save the Children India to protect children from child labor.

Which two Indian states did the IKEA Foundation initially focus on for their child labor program?

The program initially focused on Gujarat and Maharashtra.

What impact has the IKEA Foundation's program had on children in Gujarat and Maharashtra?

The program has helped over 150,000 children move from child labor to classrooms, trained 2,000 teachers, and reunited 10,000 migrant children with their families.

How is the IKEA Foundation expanding its program to other regions in India?

The program is expanding to three additional states: Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, with a significant donation of €7 million from the IKEA Foundation.

What is the target number of children the expanded program aims to reach?

The expanded program aims to reach around 800,000 children.

What is a key focus of the expanded child labor prevention program?

A key focus of the new program is improving the situation of girls within their families and communities.

What long-term approach has the IKEA Foundation seen to be effective in combating child labor?

The IKEA Foundation has seen that long-term approaches, such as working closely with partners like Save the Children India, yield impressive results in protecting children from abuse and exploitation.

What universal right is emphasized for all children in the video?

All children have the right to a childhood filled with play and learning.