This blog post explores the global landscape of child employment, with a special focus on agriculture, and highlights the urgent need for us to become more responsible consumers.
Do you remember the first time you tasted chocolate?
Chocolate is a symbol of joy and celebration, but it hides a darker reality. The sweetness we enjoy may come at a cost, a cost paid by children who are forced to work in the cocoa fields. Behind the familiar wrappers, there’s a bitter truth about the exploitation of children in the chocolate.
Looking at the map, we can see that countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the highest child employment is concentrated and parts of Asia are the most affected by child employment, with some regions experiencing rates of almost 50%.
To understand the scale of the issue, it’s crucial to recognize that 66% of child employment is concentrated in agriculture, with a significant portion tied to the cocoa industry. Children working on cocoa farms are often subjected to dangerous working conditions, where they handle sharp tools, carry heavy loads, and work long hours in harsh environments. While child employment also exists in services and manufacturing, agriculture remains the sector with the highest rate of child employment.
In the context of agriculture, including cocoa farming, gender is not a barrier when it comes to child employment. Both boys and girls are affected, with 56% of child workers being boys and 44% being girls.
The 10 countries with the lowest education expenditure are, in fact, the very same countries that experience high child employment rates. These nations invest little in education, making it harder for children to access schooling, and leaving them vulnerable to being pushed into working.
We know that, of course, increasing education expenditure will help reduce child employment, as it gives children the opportunity to attend school instead of working.
However, what can we do as consumers to make a difference in the meantime?
As consumers, we have the power to influence change by supporting Fair Trade products. By choosing Fair Trade certified chocolate , we can ensure that farmers are paid fairly, and children are given the opportunity to go to school instead of working in the fields. With every Fair Trade purchase, we can be confident that child employment/labor is not part of the supply chain.
Fair Trade practices lead to a substantial 20% decrease in child employment in countries that have enforced Fair Trade certification. These countries have experienced a reduction in child employment, helping children in cocoa-producing regions avoid hazardous.
By choosing Fair Trade products, we’re actively helping to break the cycle of child employment. While we may not be able to solve the problem overnight, each purchase we make can contribute to a future where children are free to learn, grow, and thrive without being forced to work. Let’s make our choices count. Together, we can create a better world, one Fair Trade product at a time.
By Magdalena Bodouris
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