Children are the purest essence of the human soul. Blessed with a care free spirit having no worries at all. The best stage in one's life is childhood. But for some misfortunate children the care free days of their childhood are robbed away by the rulers in command of their lives.
The Pakistani society anticipates the birth of a boy for the merest reason that he will grow up and will help in bringing some financial relief to the family. The Pakistani society continues to lie in a grip of the age old scourge child labour. Only some children who are lucky enough to be born in financially sound families have the privilege to spend a carefree, happy, fulfilled childhood. Later growing into educated, successful, confident young adults and are bound to become better, honourable, and respectable members of the society.
On the other hand the unprivileged ones are raised in the socially and economically marginalized sector of the society. Experiencing poverty, hardships, discrimination, abuse, complexes and what not at the very onset of their lives. These kids spend the golden years of their life struggling to earn bread so that they can feed themselves and their families. Their hands turn rough and hard from holding tools instead of books. Their eyes have lost their glitter and so they do not shine with the vision of a bright future. Their smiles are faint and dim. Their hearts are stripped off the dreams and hopes of a bright and better future.
In my society child labour is the main hurdle. Children from poorer backgrounds are being deprived of the greatest essence of life. Despite free education in Government schools they do not have access to education. Although education is the birth right of a child but still majority of the children are forced into labour a malicious attempt to preserve the status-quo.
Hence the weak remain the weak in the powerful hands who run them. As children are no great threat as compared to the adult labourers they are the ideal choice of the employer as they can work on less wages and can be easily discarded of when found useless. They can be easily mistreated, beaten and sexually harassed.
As far as female child labourers are concerned most of the girls are confined into household enterprise. Some even work in the football and garment industries. Female children who work in the houses are the most ill-treated. Usually girls from 8-14 year old considered ideal to work in houses. Since they are not mature enough they are easily abused, sexually harassed, beaten etc.
It is noted that those girls who have the courage to raise their voices against the ill-treatments they encounter are charged of theft and hence they land in prison.
Sakina a 15 year old kid came a long with her aunt in order to work in Karachi. She started working in a house at Clifton (an area in Karachi) her employer's brother started harassing her sexually; when she complained to her employer she was beaten up by her employer and was also charged of stealing a gold necklace. Hence she was sent to jail.
Aziza a 11 year old kid works as a domestic servant; she cleans the house, washes dishes, and clothes. She has been doing so since she was 9. She works 11 hours per day. Her mother earns her living by the same means decided that her daughters should start working along with her. Aziza earns Rs 200 per month out of which she gives her mother RS 190 for family expenses. She is often beaten by her mother and employers.
Neither Aziza nor their sisters go to school. Aziza will soon stop working; soon after she has reached puberty she will be married to a man of her father's age whom she is engaged too. Her sisters will then take her place.
Is this the future of the youth ?????????????
Sarah Alam