Abdulaziz bin Talal calls for saving 15 million children in the Arab world



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The Chairman of the Arab Council for Children and Development and Chairman of the Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development Committee, Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal Al Saud, called for immediate action to be taken to reduce the suffering of more of 15 million child victims of child labor in the Arab world, who have been deprived of the opportunity to live a normal and decent life that allows them to unleash their full potential.

On the occasion of the< Journée internationale contre le travail des enfants >> organized by the United Nations on June 12, Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal reviewed the latest statistics on child labor in the region, calling on government agencies, the private sector, civil society and international institutions to coordinate their efforts to cope with the repercussions of the< Covid-19 >> and its consequences. Saying for children.

He said: “The children of the region are the pillar of its future, and we must take care of their childhood and care for them by developing their skills and improving their mental and physical health to ensure a bright future for us. all.”

Children and young people constitute more than half of the population of countries in the Arab world. According to a report published by the International Labor Organization, it is estimated that around 15% of the total number of children are engaged in some form of child labor, and this percentage is likely higher. Since many children work in the informal sector, it is difficult to measure.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal noted that conflicts and armed conflicts have forced families to flee and have forced tens of thousands of children to drop out of schools and work in dangerous occupations, indicating that “Covid-19” would make it worse also the problem.

He added: “The crisis will push many families into poverty and unemployment, which in turn will put pressure on children, and force many of them to work in order to be vulnerable to violence and abuse. psychological and physical ”.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal stressed that to protect a large percentage of the new generation from loss, it is necessary to redouble efforts to preserve their safety and reduce various forms of child labor, whether in agriculture, services or industry.

He continued, “What is more worrying is that many of our children are being forced to engage in illegal activities or work on the streets and be away from their families, and we must end it all. this in order to restore the dignity of our children and to guarantee every Arab child the possibility of receiving an education, in addition to setting up a support system. Solid that protects their social, psychological and physical integrity. “

Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal affirmed the commitment of the Arab Council for Children and Development at regional and global levels to apply a legal framework to prevent child labor, ensure financial inclusion and define policies to provide a social protection and poverty reduction, and to take immediate and effective action to eliminate forced labor and end modern slavery and human trafficking.

He explained, “We aim to ban and eradicate child labor in all its forms by 2025, and to achieve the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, based on our firm belief that the return children in their natural place on the school bench is a crucial step in reducing poverty and improving societies.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal Al Saud stressed the importance of preparing broad-impact programs to fight poverty, facilitate access to education, health care and empower women, coordinating joint efforts of governments , businesses, civil society and individuals.

The advice was Al-Arabi for Children and Development participated in the preparation of a regional study entitled “Child labor in Arab countries, in cooperation with the League of Arab States, the Arab Labor Organization, the United Arab International Labor Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The study was launched in March 2019 and endorsed by the Arab Summit for Economic and Social Development, held in Beirut as a policy document to support member states’ efforts to eliminate child labor.



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