Measurement, Awareness-Raising, and Policy Engagement (MAP 16) Project on Child Labor and Forced Labor

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The United States supports the goal of bringing meaningful change to the lives of the 152 million child laborers and the 25 million adults and children in forced labor around the world by eradicating child labor, forced labor and human trafficking. USDOL’s MAP 16 project supports this goal through efforts to (1) improve the knowledge base on child labor, forced labor and human trafficking; (2) improve awareness of these issues through the use of data-driven techniques; (3) strengthen policies and improve the capacity of governments and other stakeholders to combat child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking through national, regional, and global initiatives; and (4) strengthen partnerships to accelerate progress in combatting child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking.

The Problem

An estimated 152 million children work in child labor around the world, and an estimated 25 million children and adults suffer under forced labor conditions. Despite the progress that has been made globally in addressing child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking, ending these abusive practices will require an acceleration of efforts and greater concerted global action.

Our Strategy

The MAP 16 project is addressing knowledge gaps on child labor, forced labor and human trafficking through research and the development of new survey methodologies; improving awareness of these issues through the use of data-driven techniques; strengthenng policies and the capacity of governments and other stakeholders to combat child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking; and supporting partnerships to accelerate progress in combatting child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking.

Specific activities include data collection about child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking at the national, regional, and sectoral levels, including in Panama and Brazil; development of methods to measure child labor and forced labor in supply chains such as sugarcane and fishing; and the development of new guidelines on forced labor measurement. MAP 16 is also promoting innovative communications tools using child labor and forced labor data and supporting an awareness-raising campaign on child labor. The project is likewise supporting regional and sub-regional initiatives to eradicate child labor and forced labor in Africa and Latin America; engaging with governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to address child labor and forced labor in supply chains in sugarcane and fishing; and building the capacity of 14 governments to address child labor. Finally, the project supports business networks and other stakeholders to work together to develop policies to combat child labor, forced labor and human trafficking.

Results

  • The MAP16 project provided support for training more than 25 National Statistical Offices on child labor data collection and analysis, and has published six reports on child labor and forced labor, including in supply chains. Some of these surveys are being used by the ILO to develop the global estimates of child labor and forced labor.
  • With project support, six governments have adopted new legislation, policies, and protocols to address child labor. These include protocols for social service agencies in Serbia to improve how they handle cases of child labor among vulnerable minority populations.
  • The project stood up a Global Business Network on Forced Labor in collaboration with the USDOL-funded Bridge project. Three business associations made commitments to address child labor due to advocacy and support from MAP16.

Learn About Our Success

Isabel and her mother, Antonia

At just age 15, Isabel knows what it is like to worry about money. Two years ago, her father got sick, lost his job, and had to find part-time construction work in another city. The family’s income was tight, putting Isabel and her siblings at a high risk of engaging in child labor. 

Grantee:
International Labor Organization (ILO)
Contact Information:
(202) 693-4843 / Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking (OCFT)
Tags:
Child Labor
Awareness
Capacity Building
Forced Labor
Human Trafficking
Measurement
Policy