PECUC observed World Day Against Child Labour
Bhubaneswar(Abhishek Mohanty): "Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: Let’s speed up efforts!" is the World Day Against Child Labour 2025 theme. The theme for this year highlights the fact that millions of children are being exploited, despite the fact that many nations have successfully decreased the number of child labour cases. Now, World Day Against Child Labour 2025 urges unambiguous, coordinated, and persistent actions to guarantee that every child has access to play, education, and a safe childhood.
This day is a global call to action to eliminate child labour in all its forms and ensure that every child enjoys their right to education, safety, and a life free from exploitation. Nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labour in 2024, including around 54 million in hazardous work likely to jeopardize their health, safety, or development, according to new estimates released on Thursday by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF.
To mark this occasion, People’s Cultural Centre (PECUC), a renowned voluntary organisation with over 35 years of committed service to child rights and welfare, organised extensive awareness activities across Khordha, Baleswar, Keonjhar, Cuttack, and Kendrapada and many parts of the districts in Odisha and country level. Recognized nationally for its tireless work in eradicating child labour, PECUC brought together communities, youth groups, children, and key stakeholders to stand in solidarity with millions of children still trapped in labour worldwide.
A wide range of activities were conducted to engage people at the grassroots level and spread awareness about the issue. These included rallies, public meetings, wall paintings, human chain formations, poster-making competitions, and impactful messaging campaigns. The organisation also harnessed the power of digital and broadcast media, running dedicated programmes on Radio Sampark 89.6, its community radio platform.
The event also marked the culmination of PECUC’s 44-day campaign against child labour, which began on April 30, with continuous engagement and sensitisation in communities most vulnerable to child exploitation.
Speaking on the occasion, Diya Das, a Class 10 student and adolescent group leader from Bhubaneswar, passionately said, “All children should go to school and be given the opportunity to dream, learn, and build a better future. No child should have to sacrifice their childhood to earn a living.” Her words resonated with many others who participated in the campaign.
Adding his voice to the movement, Sangram Dehuri, a dynamic youth leader from PECUC’s ECOSAVERS Youth Network in Keonjhar, said, “Every child deserves a childhood, not a life of labour. Let’s raise our voices and act together to end child labour. When we choose education, we choose hope. When we protect children, we protect the present and future.”
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Ranjan Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of PECUC, urged everyone to commit to the cause with renewed passion. He stated, “We must join hands to end child labour in all its forms. Each of us has the power to make a difference. Let us work towards a world where no child is exploited & engaged as labourer, where every child is in school, safe, and free to dream. Protecting children is not just a responsibility—it is a moral duty.”
Through such committed efforts, PECUC reaffirms its pledge to create a society where children are cherished, educated, and empowered never exploited. The fight against child labour is far from over, but with collective will and compassionate action, a child-labour-free world is within reach.
