‘The pandemic has made children more vulnerable’

Ayushmann speaks out against child labour

On the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour on Saturday, actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is UNICEF’s celebrity advocate for the global EVAC (Ending Violence Against Children) campaign, expressed concern that the number of child labourers has risen amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“Child labour robs children of their childhood and is a complete violation of their rights. COVID-19 has made children, especially girls and migrant children, more vulnerable, exposing them to greater risks. Closure of schools, increased violence at home, death of parents, and job loss within families are driving children to child labour.” Ayushmann said.

Urging people to stop harmful practices against children, the actor said, “Join hands to prevent this from happening. Advocate for social protection schemes for the poorest families. Highlight that all children should safely go back to schools when they reopen. Dial ChildLine 1098 if you see any child in distress.”

Meanwhile, the actor is all set to start work on his next film Doctor G. He has finished shooting for two films, Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui directed by Abhishek Kapoor and Anubhav

Sinha’s Anek.

Child labour robs children of their childhood and is a complete violation of their rights. COVID-19 has made children, especially girls and migrant children, more vulnerable, exposing them to greater risks. Closure of schools, increased violence at home, death of parents, and job loss within families are driving children to child labour. — Ayushmann Khurrana, actor