Our country is vast, encompassing people of diverse religions, castes, and sects. Since independence, India has made significant strides in development, yet challenges like population growth, casteism, unemployment, and inflation persist, exacerbating difficulties for families in providing for their children. Economic hardships often force children into labor, disrupting their natural development and perpetuating cycles of poverty. Child labor not only impacts the children's well-being but also undermines employment dynamics in developing countries.
Child and women labor constitute a growing issue rooted largely in poverty. Millions in India live below the poverty line, striving for sustenance through hard labor. Despite legal provisions and efforts to promote education and women's rights, implementation gaps persist. Many families view child labor as necessary for skill acquisition or due to limited awareness about the value of education.
Child labor in India encompasses children aged 5 to 12 engaged in various forms of work, numbering over 6 crore, with girls constituting more than 2 crores. The prevalence is higher in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa. Engaging in hazardous work at a young age deprives these children of education and stunts their physical and intellectual growth, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and hindering social progress.
Various legislative measures aim to safeguard children's rights and curb child labor:
These laws seek to mitigate exploitation and ensure children’s welfare, yet enforcement challenges persist.
Child labor not only impacts physical health but also stunts emotional and social development. Children engaged in labor face emotional deprivation and limited social interactions crucial for holistic development. Long-term effects on health and social integration highlight the urgency of addressing this issue comprehensively.
Approximately thirteen crore women contribute to India’s economy as laborers, predominantly in the unorganized sector. Despite their significant role, women face wage discrimination and inadequate social security measures. The recent Wages Code Bill aims to improve their economic status, yet challenges like workplace discrimination and lack of maternity benefits persist.
Women in both organized and unorganized sectors often face discrimination and exploitation. Cases of violence and sexual harassment remain prevalent, compounded by inadequate legal redressal and societal stigma. Poor working conditions and wage disparity further marginalize women in the workforce.
Government initiatives include schemes to enhance employment opportunities for women, such as the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Legislative reforms like the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017 aim to improve working conditions and maternity benefits for women workers, although implementation remains uneven.
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