UGANDA. World Day March against Child Labour
Celebration of WDACL in Uganda started in Masindi District, about 200 km from Kampala with a 3 km march of school children including those withdrawn from labour, together with workers and guests.
The march ended in front of the Vocational Institute, where children and guests had a tour and watched the debate performance of four children debating for and against child labour in agriculture. The Vocational Institute was build within the framework of ELCT project and it provides training for children who were withdrawn from Child Labour in crop production, animal husbandry, carpentry, brick laying, etc. The local authorities in the District pledged to support the Institute and ensure that child labour is eliminated in the District.
ILO ACTRAV and ILO/IPEC participated in the celebration and provided every support including printing posters, t-shirts, caps and banners with the slogan: “agriculture without child labour”.
The Minister for Labour explained the National Child Labour Policy, acknowledging that Child Labour is one of the main sources of child abuse, exploitation and a potential threat to the health, safety, moral and psychological development of children. At the end of the ceremony, he awarded 7 ex-child labourers with a certificate of completing the two years training programme.