Protecting Girls from Child Labour and Exploitation – A Call to Action for AfricaAccording to the latest estimates, around 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, of which 54 million were in hazardous work. Despite a decline since 2020, sub-Saharan Africa still carries the highest burden, with roughly 87 million children affected. For girls, the risks are especially severe: they are more likely than boys to face sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and domestic servitude. When families cannot cover the costs of schooling, many girls are forced into exploitative work. For example, after U.S. restrictions on Bangladeshi textiles made with child labour, thousands of girls were pushed into prostitution, begging, or unsafe jobs rather than returning to school.  Source: UNICEF Legally, economic exploitation is defined as “unfairly taking advantage of another person’s vulnerability, by grossly underpaying them for their work compared to market rates” Girls’ vulnerability is amplified by poverty, cultural norms, and weak labour protections, leaving them disproportionately at risk. Child Labour and Economic Exploitation: How They IntertwineChild labour and economic exploitation are two sides of the same coin. At the heart of both issues lies poverty. Families struggling to meet their most basic needs often see no choice but to send their children to work, whether in fields, mines, or sweatshops. For many, this decision is driven not by neglect but by necessity, a way to put food on the table when survival is on the line. Source: ECLT Foundation A powerful example of this comes from Bolivia, where child labour is deeply woven into social and economic life. In a New York Times documentary, Dr. Jorge Domic, director of Foundation La Paz, argues that banning child labour outright is not realistic, as it is ingrained in Andean culture. Instead, he suggests that the true problem lies in exploitation and unsafe conditions. Some child workers themselves echo this perspective: they don’t oppose working, but they demand fair treatment and protection from abuse. Source: The New York Times The Gambia: A Closer LookOur work is centered in The Gambia, the smallest country in mainland Africa but one that faces very big challenges. With a population of just 2.6 million (2021), it shares many of the struggles that plague its neighbors:
 Source: UNICEF, Statista, 2022 While the legal working age in The Gambia is 16 (and 18 for hazardous jobs), these laws are rarely enforced. Child labour is most prevalent in the agricultural sector, where nearly 95% of working children (ages 7–14) can be found. Because agriculture forms the backbone of the Gambian economy, families often depend heavily on children’s labour just to survive. Source: Block TV Gambia In short, The Gambia’s child labour crisis is not just about children working, it’s about systemic exploitation, weak protections, and a fragile economy that leaves families with few alternatives. Tackling this issue requires more than legal reforms; it demands addressing the root causes: poverty, inequality, and lack of opportunities. Explore Current Child Labour Laws to Combat ExploitationThe Gambian government has been working for decades to reduce child labour, exploitation, and child marriage. With the support of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF, several key legislations have been introduced: 1. The Children's Act, 2005
2. Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act, 2007
3. Children’s Court Rules Act of 2010Designed to eliminate child labour and strengthen protections for children, this act also created specialised courts to handle child-related cases. Alongside these laws, UNICEF has supported The Gambia by:
In 2017, the government also launched new programmes targeting the “worst forms of child labour.” Agencies like the Child Protection Alliance, Child Welfare Unit, and the Department of Social Welfare continue to enforce these laws. The Tourism Security Unit and Gambia Tourism Board also introduced bans on unaccompanied minors in tourist hotspots to curb child sexual exploitation. Source: DW Africa Why Education Is a Game-ChangerEducation is one of the most powerful shields against exploitation. Educated girls are more likely to earn higher incomes, marry later, and provide better health outcomes for their families. In West Africa, targeted programmes show real progress: child labour in cocoa-growing regions of Ghana and Ivory Coast dropped by nearly 44% after interventions that supported mothers and local protection committees. Source: UNICEF How Can Everyone Help to Stop Child Labour?Ending child labour is not only a government responsibility, but it also requires collective action.
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Bridging the Digital Gender Divide in Africa: Empowering Girls for the Digital AgeIn today’s digital era, access to technology is not just a convenience it is a lifeline to education, career opportunities, and social empowerment. Yet, across Africa, millions of girls remain excluded from this digital revolution. Despite rapid growth in Africa’s digital economy, with projections that 230 million jobs in sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, the gender gap in access and skills persists. Recent studies show that 46% of men in Africa use the internet compared to just 34% of women, , while in many low-income countries, an alarming 90% of adolescent girls remain offline, compared with 78% of boys. This imbalance not only limits girls’ ability to learn and thrive but also threatens to widen inequalities in education and employment as the region moves further into a digital future.  Why Digital Access for Girls in Africa MattersIn Africa today, the power of digitalisation cannot be overstated, it’s a key driver of education, equity, and economic progress. Yet, the continent’s digital transformation is leaving too many girls behind. In 2021, UN Women reported that 3.7 billion people lacked internet access, and that over half of them were women reflecting a broader, ongoing global digital gender divide. This digital exclusion has profound implications. Without reliable internet or connected devices, girls miss out on online learning, STEM education, and remote work opportunities all of which are essential for social mobility and economic empowerment. Barriers Hindering Digital Inclusion1. Economic HurdlesHigh costs continue to block digital access for many girls and women. A Cherie Blair Foundation report revealed that 45% of women entrepreneurs in developing countries lack regular internet access due to expense and poor connectivity, despite 92% owning smartphones. These economic constraints limit their capacity to learn, earn, and engage online meaningfully. 2. Infrastructure Gaps and Connectivity ChallengesMany African regions still face unreliable or absent internet access. Mobile broadband the main pathway to connectivity reaches only 27% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa, the lowest penetration rate globally. Even as coverage improves, gender disparities persist: women in the region are still 29% less likely than men to use mobile internet, leaving more than 200 million women unconnected. 3. Social Norms and Cultural ConstraintsIn many communities, entrenched gender norms restrict girls’ access to technology, often controlling their access to devices or framing internet use as risky or inappropriate. A UNESCO-led study found that beyond infrastructure, cultural expectations around safety, mobility, and acceptable feminine roles frequently restrict girls’ digital engagement. Watch: The Mobile Gender Gap Report 2025 - GSMA Highlights Source: GSMA This video from GSMA explores the persistent gender gap in mobile internet access across Africa, spotlighting the economic, infrastructural, and social barriers that keep millions of women offline. Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Girls in AfricaAcross Africa, the digital divide has long limited opportunities for young women and girls. Today, however, a wave of initiatives is changing that story by combining technology access, education, and advocacy to create real impact. 1. Building Digital LiteracySource: Global Perspectives Initiative From coding boot camps to computer literacy workshops, organizations are equipping girls with the skills they need to thrive in tech-driven industries. Online education platforms are also opening doors, preparing a new generation of women to lead in STEM fields and beyond. 2. Expanding Access Through Affordable DevicesSource: Mastercard Foundation Tech companies and non-profits are joining forces to make smartphones, laptops, and tablets more affordable. For many girls, owning a device is the first step toward online learning, digital entrepreneurship, and participation in the global digital economy. 3. Inspiring Success StoriesReal-world examples highlight the transformative power of digital access:
Together, these efforts are not only narrowing the digital divide but also redefining what’s possible for women in Africa’s digital future. The Future – Closing the Gender Digital Gap in AfricaAfrica’s digital future is growing fast, with over 615 million internet users projected by 2025. But millions of girls are still being left behind. While 52 African governments have pledged to improve girls' digital access, fewer than 30 have implemented national strategies that truly prioritise girls' inclusion in tech and education. Why It MattersWithout access to the internet and digital education, girls lose out on learning, career opportunities, and the chance to become future leaders. Here’s what needs to change:
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