Forging a future through knowledge sharing: Innovative Solutions to reduce child labour and forced labour in Africa
Key stakeholders on the fight against child labour gathered in Naivasha, Kenya, for a pivotal Knowledge Sharing Forum dedicated to combating child and forced labour in Africa.
31 May 2024
Naivasha, Kenya, May 28 to 30, 2024 - With the distressing rise in child labour — reaching 92 million in Africa, an increase of 20 million in just four years — and the ongoing challenges of 3.8 million Africans trapped in forced labour, this forum aimed to catalyse significant action against these persistent issues.
Under the theme "Innovative Solutions to Reduce Child Labour and Forced Labour," the event brought together experts, policymakers, community stakeholders and survivors to foster a shared understanding and develop actionable innovative strategies to combat these phenomena.
The opening ceremony featured influential voices, including Caroline Khamati Mugalla, ILO Director for East Africa, and Mia Seppo, ILO Assistant Director General, Hellen Apiyo, Labour Commissioner, Dancan Omondi, Projects Manager, at the Federation of Kenya Employers, and Teresa Wakubo, Programme Coordinator at the Central Organization of Trade Unions in Kenya setting a collaborative tone for the sessions that followed.
In his remarks Shadrack M. Mwadime, the Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development of Kenya, represented by Ms. Hellen Apiyo, Labour Commissioner stressed the urgency of addressing child labour, which deprives millions of African children of their childhood and future. He highlighted the forum’s alignment with the African Union's initiatives and the role of integrated international efforts in combating these violations of children's rights.
Similarly, the ILO Assistant Director-General, commended the collaborative spirit of the forum and emphasized innovation as crucial in tackling the complexities of child labour and forced labour. She recognized significant international support, particularly from the Netherlands, Norway, and Germany, and reiterated the ILO's commitment to eradicating child labour.
During the event, participants engaged in knowledge booths at the exhibition fair, expert panels, and partnership discussions, which allowed them to exchange insights and showcased success stories. The event also allowed participants to learn from transformative interventions such as the reopening of community skills development centres in Nigeria, the regularization of cooperatives in Mali’s artisanal gold mining sector, and the use of village savings and loan associations in Uganda to mobilize communities against child labour.
Other significant presentations included efforts to promote unionization and vocational skills development in Malawi's informal tea sector, enhance gender policies within the Tea Association of Malawi, and implement the SCREAM programme in Egypt to support child rights through education, arts, and media. Additionally, updates were provided on the revision of the hazardous work list in Egypt to protect children and strategic compliance planning to strengthen labour inspectorates in Madagascar and Cote d'Ivoire, showcasing a comprehensive regional effort to address labour issues through innovative and localized strategies. Interactive innovation sessions allowed participants to delve deeper into specific areas such as climate-friendly innovations and gender-integrated approaches, exploring how these can be applied to combat child and forced labour effectively.
The forum also featured profoundly moving presentations by survivors. Aidah, a mother, philanthropist, and survivor leader, shared her compelling journey from being trafficked to leading efforts against human trafficking through roles in various organizations, including the Kenya Survivor Committee of Alliance 8.7. Her story highlighted the importance of survivor-led initiatives in shaping policies and practices against modern-day slavery.
Lucia, a beneficiary of the ACCEL Africa project, spoke about her transformation through vocational training and her aspirations to empower other youth in her community by opening her own workshop. Eileen, a survivor of child labour, used her personal experience to fuel her passion for advocacy, emphasizing her goal to raise awareness and be a voice for the voiceless in the fight against child labour and modern slavery.
The event culminated in a session dedicated to translating knowledge into action, where participants identified potential solutions that could be replicated across Africa. As a strategic way forward from forum, various South-South intra-African partnerships have been established, each targeting critical sectors and themes associated with child labour and forced labour. Mali and Ghana are set to collaborate on eliminating child labour in the gold mining sector, an area where both countries face significant challenges.
Kenya, Malawi, and Uganda officially announced the signature of the Tea-triangular partnership communique, which formalizes the share of best practices and improve labour conditions in the tea industry. Meanwhile, Ghana and South Africa will focus on labour issues within the fishing industry, aiming to tackle exploitation and improve working conditions. The GALAB/ACCEL Africa workers’ project will involve workers’ organizations across several countries, enhancing rights protection and advocacy. These partnerships represent a concerted effort to leverage regional strengths and expertise to address labour challenges comprehensively.
The Knowledge Sharing Forum is expected to have a lasting impact beyond its immediate discussions. It underscored the urgency of addressing child and forced labour and reinforced the commitment across nations to build a safer, fairer world for all children. The outcomes from this forum will feed into the ACCEL Africa and 8.7 Accelerator Lab frameworks, aiming to foster new initiatives and strengthen existing partnerships.
As the forum closed, the energy and commitment of all attendees were palpable, with a collective pledge to continue this crucial work, ensuring that the strategies and innovations discussed lead to real and sustainable change in the lives of millions of children and workers across Africa.