Number of child labour drops to 1.6 million: UNICEF

Number of child labourers has decreased to 1.6 million in the country, according to the United Nations Children’s Fund that was earlier United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.

However, the abolition of child labour in the country seems still far away, said commissioner of National Human Rights Commission Gauri Pradhan addressing a launching campaign of UNICEF to end violence against women and children, on the occasion of global campaign to eliminate violence against children here today.

The data revealed drop in number of child labour in the country, he said, adding that the UNICEF has been helping Nepal in the drive against elimination of violence against children.

Pradhan also lauded various organisations for their role in fighting against the violence against the women and child. “Nepal has also been recognised internationally for its contribution like Shakti Samuha – an organisation founded by trafficked women – has recently bagged prestigious Magsaysay award.

There are around 1.6 million children aged between five and 17 work in various factories, while more than 600,000 are engaged in hazardous works, informed UNICEF Nepal's representative Hanaa Singer, on the occasion.

The number of girls and women working in the night entertainment industry in the capital is estimated between 11,000 and 13,000, she said, adding that there is a need to make children aware of their rights and inform violence against them and help make the invisible visible as large number of violence has not been reported because it happens inside of the homes.

Some 34 per cent of women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced emotional, physical or sexual violence at least once since the age of 15, According to the data of UNICEF. “Nearly 40 per cent of survivors of child sexual violence are aged below 18.”
Some 12,000 children are trafficked to India – mainly for the purpose of sexual exploitation – annually, the data revealed.