World Day Against Child Labor is observed every year on June 12 as a global call to protect the innocence and rights of children across the world. This important day reminds us of the harsh reality faced by millions of children who are robbed of their education, childhood, and future due to labor exploitation. As we mark World Day Against Child Labor 2025, organizations like Kokan NGO stand as a beacon of hope, ensuring that vulnerable children are not only rescued from child labor but also given a new beginning through education.
Founded in 2010 and officially registered in 2012, Kokan NGO—widely known as Kokan NGO—has been relentlessly working in Maharashtra to advance child education rights, particularly in tribal and rural areas where poverty continues to fuel child labor. Our work has become a lifeline for underprivileged children, many of whom would otherwise be caught in the generational trap of labor and deprivation.
Understanding the Impact of Child Labor in India
Child labor refers to any work that deprives children of their childhood and interferes with their schooling, dignity, or health. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), around 160 million children are engaged in child labor globally, with India bearing a substantial share of this burden. These children are often found working in fields, factories, and households, performing tasks far beyond their years, in environments that are unsafe and exploitative.
In rural parts of India, especially in economically backward regions, families often rely on every member, including children, for survival. Education is seen as a luxury, not a right. The tragedy lies in the fact that child labor perpetuates the very poverty it aims to relieve. By keeping children away from education, it ensures they remain trapped in low-paying, unskilled jobs throughout their lives. Ending child labor is not just a humanitarian obligation; it is essential for building a just and educated society.
Education: The Most Effective Tool Against Child Labor
The strongest defense against child labor is quality education. When children are given the opportunity to learn, they develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence necessary to break the cycle of poverty. Education gives them a voice, opens doors to better opportunities, and protects them from exploitation. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child clearly states that every child has the right to free and compulsory primary education—a right that must be safeguarded through action, not just intention.
On World Day Against Child Labor, the message is clear: schools should replace workplaces. And it is organizations like Kokan NGO that are actively making this vision a reality across Maharashtra and beyond.
Kokan NGO’s Empowering Initiatives
Kokan NGO has integrated child education rights into the very heart of its mission. Through our Saksham Orphanage Support Program, they provide not only shelter but also education and vocational training to orphaned and vulnerable children. These efforts create a nurturing environment where children can grow, learn, and prepare for a dignified future.
The organization’s Education Support Program (ESP) is another cornerstone initiative. It supplies school kits, scholarships, and financial aid to students in remote areas—children who are often one step away from dropping out and entering the labor force. By removing economic barriers, Kokan NGO ensures that these children remain in school and on the path to a better life.
Our work doesn’t stop there. The NGO actively collaborates with local schools, government bodies, and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the dangers of child labor and the value of education. Our alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, underscores the global relevance of our mission.
Transformative Impact: 13 Years, 1.17 Million Lives Touched
In its 13-year journey, Kokan NGO has positively impacted over 1.17 million people. Thousands of children who once stood on the brink of child labor are now in classrooms, dreaming of becoming doctors, teachers, engineers, and artists. These are more than just numbers; they represent stories of change.
Many of these children have gone on to complete higher education or vocational courses supported by the NGO. From tailoring and beauty courses to mobile repair and digital literacy, these programs ensure that youth from marginalized communities have access to meaningful employment, making child labor a relic of their past, not their future.
In 2024–2025, the NGO was recognized with the Best CSR Project in Women & Child Welfare, a prestigious accolade that reflects the organization’s commitment to uplifting vulnerable lives.
World Day Against Child Labor 2025: Kokan NGO’s Call to Action
NEW: Kokan NGO urges everyone to take action against child labor on World Day Against Child Labor in 2025.
This year, as part of World Day Against Child Labor 2025, Kokan NGO is organizing a series of awareness drives, school engagement programs, and public events to mobilize community support. They use storytelling sessions and educational workshops to start conversations about child labor and raise awareness among the public.
The organization also plans to distribute educational material, showcase the success stories of children who have escaped child labor, and advocate for stronger community action. Kokan NGO fights against child labor in India by highlighting how education can change lives.
Be a Part of the Movement
We cannot win the fight against child labor on our own. It requires collective responsibility. You can support Kokan NGO by donating to our educational programs, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word. Every small act of kindness contributes to a larger wave of change.
Visit our website or connect with us on social media to learn more about our work. Your support can help make sure that every child can dream freely.
Conclusion
World Day Against Child Labor is more than a date—it’s a call to stand against injustice. Through education, advocacy, and community outreach, Kokan NGO continues to prove that change is possible. Let’s join hands with them to ensure every child learns, thrives, and lives a life of dignity. Because no child should ever be forced to choose between work and school.
