June 12: World Day Against Child Labor

It is a dark tragedy that, in the 21st century, we still recognize "World Day Against Child Labour." This is a stark reminder of our failure as a global community to protect the most vulnerable in our society—our children. As we mark this day, we must confront the harsh reality that millions of children, 1 in 5 worldwide, are still enduring hazardous conditions, their dreams, hopes, and childhoods taken away from them.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), "child labor" is work that is "mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful" to a child and deprives them of their childhood.

Let us remember that child laborers are:

• Children who work in agriculture, including farming, fishing, and livestock, perform tasks beyond their age-appropriate abilities.

• Children who work in factories facing hazardous conditions, poor ventilation, and exposure to toxic materials.

• Children who work in garment factories sew clothes for long hours in poorly ventilated sweatshops.

• Children who assemble electronics, often in confined spaces with inadequate safety measures.

• Children who toil in brick kilns, carrying heavy loads and enduring extreme heat to produce bricks for construction.

• Children who work in mines extracting materials like cobalt and gold, enduring harsh conditions for minimal pay, often without protective gear.

• Children who perform domestic servitude, working as maids and caretakers, and are often subject to abuse and exploitation.

• Children who are bought, sold, and moved for sexual exploitation.

• Children who are forced into marriage, losing their childhoods to become wives and mothers while still children themselves.

• Children who are exploited for criminal activities, including theft and drug trafficking.

• Children who are used in armed conflict, serving as soldiers, scouts, cooks, and more. They are conscripted as child soldiers, trained to fight and kill in conflicts they cannot understand.

These examples of exploitation highlight the ongoing injustice that demands urgent and unwavering action to eradicate child labor once and for all.

Marching towards a world unshackled by the chains of violence, discrimination, and inequality

The range of violence against women is vast and complex, spanning diverse forms, frequencies, and intensities. From brutal acts, such as honor killings, sexual assaults, and rapes, to coercive practices like forced circumcisions, forced marriage, and the denial of the right to choose a partner depict violent dimensions. Non-physical manifestations include legal deprivations of women's rights, impacting their personal choices, children's rights, and access to legal, social, and economic rights. Inequality manifests in various dimensions of human rights, taking on assumed forms, and subtle forms of violence persist within a system aptly described as 'patriarchal' or, in other words, a system dominated by capitalist structures.

Through the strategic use of education, religion, and media, the system actively shapes and disseminates a cultural narrative and relational structure that opposes the empowerment of women and perpetuates male dominance. Though manifesting in diverse ways across countries and nations, these influential tools fundamentally contribute to the cultivation of a culture steeped in class-based and hierarchical values. Essentially, they depict certain segments of human society as inherently inferior, perpetuating gender-based discrimination and encapsulating the most violent dimensions of these inequalities.

In nations such as Iran, the lamentable prevalence of violence and oppression against women has become disturbingly explicit, seamlessly woven into the fabric of the dominant culture. This influence extends to the very core of legal frameworks and societal interactions. Women, unfortunately, find themselves in a diminished status, with their rights contingent upon the directives and approvals of men who, under religious pretexts, consider themselves owners of these rights.

Emerging from the earliest stages of childhood, these pervasive assaults cast a lasting shadow over the lives of women.

Enforcing mandatory dress codes labeled as "hijab," advocating and coercing religious practices, imposing religious and traditional concepts on children as they enter school, and compelling them to conform to prevailing societal norms that cast them as "subordinate." The indoctrination of a submissive self-image, coupled with acceptance and surrender to this system from the outset, perpetuates these teachings. The alarming prevalence of child marriage, a criminal act against children irrespective of gender, stands out as one of the most egregious forms of these oppressions.

The parallel fate of women within the lower echelons of society is evident. Yet, one crucial point deserves attention: Changes in the circumstances of women within societies imply corresponding shifts in the conditions of oppression children face. Whether in their individual capacities or as mothers and caretakers, women emerge as direct advocates for their children's rights.

With the advent of the "Mehsa Revolution" and the active engagement of women in Iran, a remarkable solidarity unfolded, transcending gender lines as almost all women and men joined forces against the oppressive regime and dictatorship. Aptly dubbed the "Women's Revolution," this movement is renowned for the groundbreaking role played by women, guided by aspirations focused on dismantling the entire framework of discrimination and inequality. This characterization finds recognition among domestic activists and resonates with the international community and observers alike.

The far-reaching impacts of this movement extend beyond the tangible, evident in the persistent resistance against compulsory "hijab" and the growing emphasis on the right to individual attire choices.

At the heart of the issue lies the undeniable truth that all manifestations of violence against women are deeply rooted in a systemic structure, where the very foundation relies on the "exploitation of human capital" and the "profit-driven commodification" of individuals. Within this paradigm, women find themselves relegated to subordinate roles, labeled as secondary or tertiary entities. The singular remedy to this societal ailment lies in the conscientious dismantling of the deteriorating foundations underpinning this corrupted system.

In the realm of social change, the women's movement, pioneering women's organizations, and allied movements find themselves intertwined, sharing a common destiny. Their collective power emerges not through isolated efforts but through a unified commitment. Joining forces with the movement for freedom and equality becomes the catalyst for addressing not only the injustices and violence against women but also the broader spectrum of societal segments and constituencies.

As advocates for the movement defending "children's rights," we align ourselves seamlessly with revolutionary movements and fervently call for cooperation and partnership in advancing the objectives of our targeted groups within our movements.

Marching toward a world unshackled by the chains of violence, discrimination, and inequality.

Long live freedom and equality.

Long live the right of childhood.

November 25, 2023

Unveiling the Shadows:

Child rights violations in Iran and the urgent call for change.

On November 20, 1959, the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and 30 years later, on November 20, 1989, they adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Since 1989, The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been ratified by 195 countries, making it the world's most widely ratified human rights treaty.

Despite its existence, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has significant flaws, notably its conditional and regionally influenced perspective on children's rights, subject to the discretion of governments and rulers. Iran's conditional adoption in 1993, allowing non-compliance if conflicting with domestic laws or Islamic standards, raises concerns about the effectiveness of such conditions in improving children's conditions over the past 30 years. This conditional approach undermines the very rights the Convention aims to protect.

Violation of children's fundamental rights in Iran

In 1991, Iran committed to safeguarding children's rights by signing and ratifying the Convention; however, after three decades, the fundamental rights of Iranian children persistently endure violations. Despite the Convention's commitment, many Iranian children and families face poverty, lacking essentials like nutrition, healthcare, housing, and a conducive environment. Implementation gaps persist, hindered by socio-political obstacles, and governmental reluctance to engage with civil institutions exacerbates the challenges, shifting responsibility to societal, private, and charitable sectors. A notable violation concerns the right to free and quality education, emphasized in Iran's constitution. Regrettably, many children are denied access, while those within the formal education system encounter subpar conditions. This aspect requires a fundamental transformation to align with child-centric principles. In our perspective, the Convention signifies the baseline for children's rights, not the pinnacle. Unfortunately, these foundational rights face lapses in adherence within Iran. We ardently advocate for a paradigm shift, fostering a renewed perspective and approach to secure and cherish the rights of every child in the country.

Governmental and Adult-Centric Perspective, Two Major Flaws of the Convention.

The Convention's shortcomings are twofold. Firstly, it reflects the views of government representatives, not those of the people, particularly children's rights advocates, who would have crafted a more progressive document. Secondly, the prevailing perspective on the treaty stems from adults' understanding of children's rights, lacking the crucial viewpoint of children themselves. This oversight, coupled with legal constraints that tie the treaty to individual countries' laws, creates a significant flaw. Children's rights should be universal, not constrained by local laws and norms. The Convention sets the minimum standards for children's rights, yet even these basics go unfulfilled in Iran. The United Nations, while representing global nations, is constrained by the policies of individual countries, often influenced by global powers. This challenge is evident in conflicts like Palestine, where the UN struggles to play an effective and humane mediating role, leading to the suffering of people, especially children.

Society must act as a lever of pressure on the government.

Society should serve as a lever of pressure on the government to uphold universally recognized children's rights. In Iran's challenging political landscape, where civil society faces constant threats, advocacy efforts, including movements by teachers and workers, become crucial. The protection of these fundamental rights should be a global imperative.

As advocates for children's rights, we seek active participation in shaping the rights and aspirations of children. Children's rights extend beyond domestic laws and conventions; they embody their current interests and demands, free from compromise or expediency.

Join us in fostering a world where every child's rights are not just protected but actively championed. Echoing the sentiments of children at the Children’s World Congress On Child Labour in 2004 in Florence:

"We are as much the future as we are now."

November 20, 2023