Nearly two-thirds of South Sudanese children in child labour: Report – Al Jazeera

Report on Child Labour in South Sudan and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A national study conducted by the government of South Sudan and Save the Children reveals a severe child labour crisis, fundamentally undermining progress towards multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The report indicates that 64 percent of children aged 5-17 are engaged in the worst forms of child labour, a figure that starkly contravenes the targets set forth in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This crisis is compounded by intersecting humanitarian challenges, including conflict, climate-induced disasters, and public health emergencies, further jeopardizing the achievement of SDGs related to poverty, education, health, and peace.

Key Findings and Setbacks to SDG 8

The prevalence of child labour in South Sudan represents a critical failure to meet SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), particularly Target 8.7, which calls for the immediate eradication of the worst forms of child labour.

• National Prevalence: 64 percent of children surveyed are engaged in child labour, more than double the East African regional average of 30 percent.
• Regional Extremes: In hard-hit areas such as Kapoeta South, the rate of child labour soars to 90 percent, with children predominantly working in gold mining and agriculture.
• Worst Forms of Labour: The study confirms widespread engagement in forced labour, sexual exploitation, theft, and involvement with armed groups. Approximately 10 percent of children surveyed reported association with armed factions.

Compounding Crises and Multi-faceted SDG Challenges

The report clarifies that the crisis extends beyond poverty (SDG 1), driven by a complex interplay of factors that impede progress across the SDG framework.

1. Climate and Health Crises: Relentless flooding, impacting nearly one million people, and a severe malaria outbreak directly challenge SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). These environmental and health pressures displace families and push children into exploitative labour.
2. Food Insecurity: With 7.7 million people facing acute hunger, the nation is far from achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). This desperation forces children to work to survive.
3. Conflict and Instability: Renewed armed clashes and political instability contravene SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The recruitment of children by armed groups is a grave violation of Target 16.2, which aims to end abuse, exploitation, and violence against children.

Gender Disparities and the Violation of SDG 5

The nature of child exploitation is gendered, highlighting significant barriers to achieving SDG 5 (Gender Equality). The findings show distinct vulnerabilities for boys and girls.

• Boys: More likely to be forced into dangerous industries like mining or recruited into armed groups.
• Girls: Disproportionately subjected to forced marriage, household servitude, and sexual abuse.

The Critical Role of Education in Achieving SDG 4

The report identifies education as the most significant protective factor against child labour, yet access to it is severely limited. This situation represents a profound failure to advance SDG 4 (Quality Education). Children engaged in labour in regions like Kapoeta South are not attending school. The finding that school attendance significantly reduces the likelihood of exploitation underscores the urgent need for investment in accessible, quality education as a primary strategy for child protection and sustainable development.

Institutional Response and Path Forward

The government has acknowledged the report’s findings and committed to using the evidence as a foundation for action. Addressing this crisis is not only a legal and moral imperative but is also central to any viable strategy for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in South Sudan.

• Awareness of legal protections among adults is high (70 percent), yet two-thirds of children are unaware that help is available, indicating a gap in child-centric protection mechanisms.
• Official commitment to action provides an opportunity to develop targeted policies that address the root causes identified in the report.
• A holistic approach integrating humanitarian aid with long-term development strategies focused on peace (SDG 16), education (SDG 4), and poverty reduction (SDG 1) is essential for sustainable change.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article’s central theme is the prevalence of child labour in South Sudan. It explicitly states that “Nearly two-thirds of South Sudanese children are engaged in the worst forms of child labour,” which directly relates to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • The article links child exploitation to conflict, noting that “relentless flooding, the spread of disease, and conflict that have uprooted families” are intensifying factors. It also mentions “involvement with armed groups,” “renewed civil war,” and a “fragile 2018 peace deal,” all of which fall under the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • The article highlights the inverse relationship between child labour and education. It states that in Kapoeta South, “nine out of 10 children work in gold mining, pastoralism and farming instead of attending school.” It further emphasizes the importance of education as a solution, quoting Save the Children: “Education remains the strongest protective factor.”

4. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • The article points out the gendered nature of child exploitation: “Boys are more likely to work in dangerous industries or join armed groups, while girls disproportionately face forced marriage, household servitude and sexual abuse.” This directly addresses the need to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

5. SDG 1: No Poverty

   • While the article states the crisis “goes beyond poverty,” it acknowledges poverty as a contributing factor. The humanitarian crises described, such as conflict and flooding that “uprooted families and left millions on the brink of hunger,” are directly linked to increasing poverty and vulnerability.

6. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • The article explicitly mentions that “7.7 million people confront acute hunger,” connecting the broader humanitarian crisis to food insecurity, which is a core component of this goal.

7. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • The article touches upon health crises compounding the situation, noting “the spread of disease,” a “malaria outbreak with more than 104,000 cases reported in the past week,” and that “140 health facilities damaged or submerged” by floods.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms. The entire article is focused on this target, detailing that “64 percent of children aged between five and 17 are trapped in forced labour, sexual exploitation, theft and conflict.”

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The report’s findings on forced labour, sexual exploitation, and involvement with armed groups directly relate to this target.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education. The article implies a failure to meet this target by stating that children are working “instead of attending school.”

4. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The article’s mention of girls facing “sexual abuse” aligns with this target.
   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. The article identifies “child marriage driving children into labour” as a specific issue.

5. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. The statistic that “7.7 million people confront acute hunger” directly points to this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. For Target 8.7 (End Child Labour)

   • Proportion of children engaged in child labour: The article provides a national average: “64 percent of children aged between five and 17 are trapped in forced labour.”
   • Regional variations in child labour: The article notes rates “reaching as high as 90 percent in the hardest-hit regions,” such as Kapoeta South.
   • Proportion of children involved with armed groups: The article specifies that “About 10 percent of those surveyed reported involvement with armed groups.”

2. For Target 16.2 (End Exploitation of Children)

   • The same indicators for Target 8.7 apply here, as they measure forms of exploitation against children. The 64% overall rate and 10% involvement with armed groups are direct measures.

3. For Target 5.3 (Eliminate Forced Marriage)

   • Prevalence of child marriage: While not providing a specific number, the article implies this is a measurable indicator by stating that “child marriage [is] driving children into labour.”

4. For Target 4.1 (Universal Education)

   • School attendance rate: The article implies this indicator inversely. In a region where “nine out of 10 children work… instead of attending school,” the school attendance rate is implicitly 10% or less.

5. For Target 2.1 (End Hunger)

   • Number of people facing acute hunger: The article provides a direct figure: “7.7 million people confront acute hunger.”

6. For Target 3.3 (End Epidemics)

   • Incidence of specific diseases: The article gives a weekly figure for malaria: “more than 104,000 cases reported in the past week.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: aljazeera.com