In a recent BMJ Paediatrics Open article, Kavita Ratna of The Concerned for Working Children (CWC), emphasizes the importance of addressing child labour through a child rights perspective. In the article, Ratna highlights the persistent challenges faced by working children, including exploitation, lack of education, and health risks. Ratna echoes working children’s call for action to address the root causes of child labour.
The Concerned for Working Children (CWC), an organization with nearly four decades of experience, has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights of working children. CWC has facilitated children’s participation in policy discussions, emphasizing the need for safe work conditions and educational opportunities. Their efforts have led to significant milestones, such as the involvement of children in the International Labour Organisation’s consultations. An example of this is the Bhima Sangha of Asia, a children’s and adolescents’ movement who conducted their own research and advocated for their own rights from local to global levels. Writing about the Bhima Sangha movement, Ratna highlighted the struggle of working children:
They challenged, head-on, many prevalent notions about child labour, working
children and ‘childhood’ itself. They demanded to be heard during policy
formulations. Pointing out how they also valued safe work—clearly distinguished from exploitative labour—they wanted their rights as workers and as children to be upheld; and causes of child labour to be addressed (Ratna, 2025).
Ratna calls for policies that ensure children’s participation in decision-making and address their specific needs. Ratna advocates for holistic approach to child rights that includes education, health, and social security.
Invariably, vulnerable children are the ones who spontaneously internalise the concept of rights as they are compelled to hone their survival skills. For them, rights are not theoretical—but fundamental to survive and thrive. Their level of participation may be in accordance with their abilities, yet their agency is central and non-negotiable. It is crucial for us to listen to children when they say ‘we are not the problem, we are part of the solution (Ratna, 2025).’
CWC continues to advocate for holistic solutions that involve the active participation of children, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights upheld.
About CWC: CWC is a FORUT partner in India. CWC focuses on engaging with children, youth, and communities in the rural areas of Karnataka, where disparities in education, and all livelihoods are stark. To address these gaps, CWC emphasizes the realization of children’s rights to education, protection, and participation, particularly for those who have historically faced discrimination, such as girls, children from minority groups, children with disabilities, and working children. This is achieved by promoting the formation of collectives of children and their participation at all levels of government to ensure structural changes. CWC also works extensively to advocate for policy changes regarding women’s and rural workers’ rights.
