Indian child rights' campaigner Kailash Satyarthi, who shared the 2014 Nobel peace prize with Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzay, has said that no business can ignore the menace of child labour. "It's an issue that must be dealth with with a sense of emergency," the founder of the Bachpan Bachao Andolan told the audience at a conference on child labour earlier this year.
Satyarthi's organisation has helped free 80,000 children from forced labour over the last two decades. The Nobel committee said that there are 168 million child labourers around the world, but that the figure had fallen by 78 million since 2000.
'"Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Gandhi’s tradition, has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain," the Nobel committee said. "He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights."
The committee made it clear that its choice was highly political. The panel said it "regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism"
In this speech, he lays out his ideas for eliminating child labour.
Satyarthi's organisation has helped free 80,000 children from forced labour over the last two decades. The Nobel committee said that there are 168 million child labourers around the world, but that the figure had fallen by 78 million since 2000.
'"Showing great personal courage, Kailash Satyarthi, maintaining Gandhi’s tradition, has headed various forms of protests and demonstrations, all peaceful, focusing on the grave exploitation of children for financial gain," the Nobel committee said. "He has also contributed to the development of important international conventions on children’s rights."
The committee made it clear that its choice was highly political. The panel said it "regards it as an important point for a Hindu and a Muslim, an Indian and a Pakistani, to join in a common struggle for education and against extremism"
In this speech, he lays out his ideas for eliminating child labour.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!