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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Every girl deserves safety, education, and the freedom to dream. Together, we can break the cycle of child labour and build a future where no child is forced to choose survival over school. 👉 Donate now to help us protect girls in The Gambia. Read Our Featured Blogs and More!
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Ending Gender-Based ViolenceWhat Is Violence Against Women?Violence against women is any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. It is rooted in the gender inequality that women face throughout their lives from childhood through to their old age. Violence against women comes in many forms; physical, emotional, verbal, and many more. It can come through different channels including intimate partner violence, workplace violence, sexual violence, family, and even societal violence. Gender inequality and norms play a big role in the acceptability of violence against women and are a root cause of violence against women.  Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash Why Is Violence Against Women Prevalent?There are various risk factors that contribute to the prevalence of violence against women, such as:
How To Eliminate Gender-Based Violence From National And International LevelsViolence against women and girls is rooted in gender-based discrimination, social norms that accept violence, and gender stereotypes that continue those cycles of violence. To date, efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls have mainly focused on responding to and providing services to survivors of violence. However, prevention which addresses the structural causes, as well as the risk and protective factors associated with violence is pivotal to eliminating violence against women and girls completely. Prevention is the only way to stop violence before it even occurs. It requires political commitment, implementing laws that promote gender equality, investing in women’s organisations, and addressing the multiple forms of discrimination women face daily.  Photo by Sydney Sims on Unsplash Other ways to eliminate violence against women includes the following:
Join Us to Educate Girls to Eliminate Gender-Based Violence Photo by bill wegener on Unsplash Education can contribute towards the eradication of violence against women and girls. An educated girl has the power to speak up herself. Join us to give girls a voice.
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