1. Background of the Organisation:
Inspired by the nationwide call of Mahatma Gandhi to ‘March towards Village,’ People’s Institute of Rural Development (PIRD) was established in 1983. PIRD works for landless laborers, poor farmers, and women’s groups related to rural development programs. Our major programs include campaigns against child labor and education for child labor.
2. Facts about Child Labour: We always compare children to flowers and butterflies because of their common virtues such as innocence, ever-present freshness, and tension-free lifestyle. We do not differentiate between children and butterflies when it comes to their playfulness. We also consider our children as future pillars of our nation. However, the reality is starkly opposite and very pathetic, which will disturb any good-hearted human in our society. Currently, about 11 crore children between the ages of 9 and 14 are working as child laborers.
This represents 10% of our total population. These children have missed out on pleasant moments of their childhood and will ultimately remain outside the mainstream of social development. If we, as a society, ignore these facts and neglect this situation, it may prove harmful to all of us.
Role of PIRD: For the last 8 years, PIRD has taken various innovative steps to prevent child labor. The organization has arranged different programs such as non-formal education, bridge course camps, campaigns for educational awareness, educational centers at the village level, and overall social awareness.
For child labor, although this approach has not proven to be very successful, it has definitely made at least a partial impact on the overall campaign. After visualizing the gravity of the problem, it becomes absolutely necessary for everyone to participate in the cause of total eradication of child labor. We are aware that the success of the program depends on everyone’s active participation. The main cause of child labor is economic, although the level of education and social backwardness are also important factors. If we try to solve these problems, the rate of child labor will reduce by 50 percent.
With this confidence, we have been conducting educational awareness programs for the eradication of child labor for the past three years. The causes of child labor include problems faced by parents, social backwardness, illiteracy, and dislike for schooling.
