Protection: India

Because I am a girl…
I am more vulnerable to violence and exploitation. Unless I stay in school.

Combating Child Labor in Andhra Pradesh

Fact: India has the largest number of working children anywhere in the world. As soon as parents think their sons and daughters are old enough and strong enough to work, they pull them out of school and send them into the fields or factories. Often as young as nine, these children are extremely vulnerable to exploitation, sexual violence, and trafficking—with girls being the most at risk.

In the state of Andhra Pradesh, girls working alone in the fields or searching for food on the streets are easy targets. To protect them, Plan India is collaborating with employers, trade unions, and local government offices to educate and prevent the hiring of child labor.

With your support of Because I am a Girl, we’re also working with parents, community groups, teachers, and distric level governments to create awareness programs aimed at preventing girls from being put at risk from the start. Our goal is to educate parents on why it’s so important for their daughters to stay in school and to help them understand that the whole family benefits when a girl is allowed to continue her education. She’ll not only earn a better wage when she does go to work someday, but will also be better protected from violence, early pregnancy, and HIV/ and AIDS.

Support the Child Labor in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar Project in India by donating today.
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