World Day Against Child Labor

In Africa, nearly 59 million children are forced to work. A situation which results from armed crises and poverty, and which seriously jeopardizes the well-being and future of children on the continent. This alarming observation was made on Tuesday, July 11st, 2017, during the ceremony for the commemoration of the World Day against Child Labor, at the CRRAE-UMOA Complex in the Plateau. The 2017 Edition of the World Day against Child Labor was held under the theme "In conflict and Disaster, Let’s Protect Children From Work". It was placed under the patronage of Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, First Lady of Côte d'Ivoire and Chairperson of the National Oversight Committee for Actions to Combat Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labor (CNS). It also recorded the participation of Mr. Jean-Claude Kouassi, Minister of Employment and Social Protection who is also President of the Inter-ministerial Committee to Combat Trafficking, Exploitation and Child Labor (CIM), Mrs. Mariatou Koné, Minister of Solidarity, Women and Child Welfare, and Vice-President of the CIM, as well as many other personalities involved in the fight against child labor.

For her part, Mrs Dominique Ouattara, President of the CNS took advantage of the framework of this commemoration to take stock of the remedial actions of the phenomenon. According to Mrs. Dominique Ouattara, the theme of this day undoubtedly calls for the reflection of anticipated solutions to protect children in the event of conflicts or disasters. Thus, for the wife of the Head of State, it is important to pool efforts and actions to fight to eradicate the phenomenon of Child Labor. "I would like to reiterate my sincere thanks for your commitment on our side in the fight against child labor. Without your involvement, it would not be possible to create an environment conducive to the full development of our children, for I remain convinced that it is in a common effort and through concerted actions that we will succeed in eradicating this phenomenon from our country and protect future generations, "she argued.