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Aims of the Day To raise global awareness of child labour and the required policy response. To focus attention on involvement of girls in child labour. To mark the tenth anniversary of ILO Convention No. 182, which aims at eliminating the worst forms of child labour.

Girls and child labour An estimated 100 million girls are involved in child labour. Many undertake similar work as boys, but may endure additional hardships and risks. Girls may be exposed to some of the worst forms of child labour often in hidden work situations. ILO Convention No. 182 calls for special attention to the situation of girls.

Where girls work Agriculture 60-70%. Services, including domestic work. Manufacturing. Some of the most unacceptable forms of child labour- bonded labour, prostitution.

Girls face multiple disadvantages Girls are discriminated against in many cultures. Girls take on household chores more than boys - childcare, cooking, cleaning, and fetching water and fuel. Girls often combine household chores with economic activity presenting girls with a “double burden”.

Girls disadvantaged in education At primary level - for every 100 boys in school, there are only 94 girls. At secondary level - enrolment in developing countries is 61% for boys and 57% for girls. In least developed countries 32% for boys and 26% for girls. Almost two thirds of the worlds illiterate population is female. Skills training opportunities for adolescent girls are limited. Girls in rural areas particularly disadvantaged.

Decent work and development by educating girls Educating girls is one of the most effective ways of tackling poverty. Education is the first steps towards Decent Work and a decent livelihood as an adult. Educated girls are more likely to have better income as adults, marry later, have fewer and healthier children. More likely to ensure that their own children are educated, helping to avoid future child labour.

The global crisis threatens girls Increasing poverty will generate child labour. When families have to choose between education of a boy or girl, girls will often lose out. Cuts in education budgets could worsen access to education and education quality.

On June 12 we call for Policy responses to tackle the causes of child labour, with particular attention to girls. Urgent action to tackle the worst forms of child labour. Greater attention to education and training needs of adolescent girls. Targeted measures to protect poor households from the impact of the economic crisis.

Join the worldwide movement against child labour Governments Employers Trade Unions Civil society For more information contact: -