12 jun 2023 : World Day Against Child Labour 2021: The world child labour day is observed on 12th June every year and this year the global platform is urged to be united against child labour and human trafficking even more considering the alarming rate of its rise. It was reported by UNICEF and International Labour Organization (ILO) this year that the number of children in child labour has risen to 160 million across the world. This is an increase of 8.4 million children in the last four years. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, this year, the celebration of the day is via virtual campaign. World Day Against Child Labour was introduced in 2002 by the International Labour Organisation. The day provides an opportunity and urges the need to generate an environment for children to grow and live a dignified life and also to fight against child labour throughout the world. Poverty is one of the main reasons for child labour because of which children are forced to left their school and opt for minimal jobs to support their parents for their livelihood. Moreover, some are forced into child labour by organised crime rackets. The Day not only focuses on the suitable environment required for the children to grow and prosper but also provide an opportunity to gain support from governments, civil society, schools, youth, women's groups and media to participate in the campaign against child labour. World Day against Child Labour 2021: Theme The theme of this year's World Day Against Child Labour is: "Act now: end child labour." This theme has been included because COVID-19 pandemic has pushed millions towards poverty and child labour is directly linked to it. The theme of World Against Child Labour 2020 was "Protect children from child labour, now more than ever". Due to COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting economic and labour market have a huge impact on the lives of people and livelihoods. Unfortunately, children are often the first to suffer. The theme of World Day against Child Labour 2019 was “Children shouldn’t work in fields, but on dreams”. The theme focuses on the development of the children working in agriculture sector throughout the world. As around 152 million children are still in child labour. And it is said that in almost every sector child labour exists but seven out of every ten is in agriculture. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) celebrates 100 years in 2019 in promoting social justice and decent work for children through Anti Child Labour Day. Let us tell you that The International Labour Organisation (ILO) launched the World against Child Labour Day in 2002 to focus attention against child labour and the action or work needed to eliminate it. It also looks forward towards the UN Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7 which was set by the international community to make an end to child labour by 2025.