Every year, on June 12, the world observes World Day Against Child Labour, a day meant to raise awareness about the plight of millions of children who are forced into labour, and to call for collective action to eliminate it. The message is clear: children should be learning, playing, and growing, not working to survive.

But while this message is echoed loudly on the global stage, the harsh realities in countries like Pakistan paint a far more complex and painful picture.

In our society, the signs of child labour are everywhere. We see children cleaning car windows at traffic signals, selling flowers or tissues at roadside stalls, working in workshops, or helping with domestic chores in affluent households. Despite the banners, speeches, and social media posts shared every year on June 12, the practice continues to exist in plain sight. The question is: why?

The issue of child labour cannot be discussed without acknowledging the economic hardships that force families to rely on every member, including children, to contribute to household income. In Pakistan, rising inflation, unemployment, and a weak social welfare system have created conditions where survival becomes the top priority.

Many households consist of six to ten children, with only one breadwinner, often earning barely enough to feed everyone. For such families, sending a child to work isn’t a choice – it’s a compulsion. These children are not just earning for themselves – they are contributing to the survival of their entire family.

What adds to the tragedy is our societal contradiction. On one hand, we advocate against child labour, while on the other hand, we often employ underage children in our homes, shops, or informal businesses. The very individuals who speak against the exploitation of children may unknowingly or knowingly be part of the problem.

We must ask ourselves: Are awareness campaigns enough? Can speeches and slogans truly solve the issue when we ignore what’s happening in our own homes and communities? How can we expect parents to keep children in school when they cannot afford food, clothing, or shelter?

Ending child labour is not simply about enforcing bans or laws. It requires structural change – a system that supports families so they are not forced to choose between sending their child to school or putting food on the table.

What we need is access to free and quality education, employment opportunities for adults at fair wages, social protection programs for the poorest families, and community-level awareness and accountability. The government, NGOs, civil society, and each of us have a role to play.

Until we create an environment where no child needs to work to survive, the World Day Against Child Labour will remain only a symbolic observance.

Let’s not just remember child labour on June 12. Let’s work every day to build a society where no child has to choose survival over childhood. Let us support policies, people, and practices that bring real, sustainable change – and above all, let’s begin with our actions.