Comprehensive programme to tackle child domestic work (CDW) and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in selected countries in South America

Start date: Sept 2004 – Ending date: Dec 2007 DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE The project will contribute to the prevention and elimination of child domestic labour (CDL) and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru. IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES IO.1. Comparable and quality information on characteristics and magnitude of CDL and CSEC in targeted countries is available and being used by key actors. IO.2. An enabling legal, institutional and cultural environment in place for undertaking effective action against CDL in Colombia, Paraguay and Peru. IO.3. Effective Pilot Models Developed for Prevention and Withdrawal of Children from CDL. IO.4. An enabling legal, institutional and cultural environment in place for undertaking effective action against CSEC in Chile, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru. IO.5. Effective Pilot Models Developed for Prevention and Withdrawal of Children from CSEC. At the regional level, its priorities are: • Horizontal cooperation among countries in South America through regional forums of experts in CDL and CSEC. This will make it possible to share experiences and exchange and disseminate information and good practices, supporting the creation of regional, inter-agency networks that include governments, employers' associations, workers’ organizations, NGOs and universities. • The coordination of cooperation efforts with other international agencies, including the IDB, ECPAT, IOM, SHO, WTO, UNAIDS, Save the Children, UNESCO, UNDCP, UNICEF, UNIFEM, UNFPA, UNDP. • The production of new knowledge that contributes to the design and implementation of sustainable policies and programmes for preventing and eliminating the recruitment of children and adolescents for the worst forms of child labour, especially child domestic labour and the sex trade. At national level the priorities are: • Changes in legislation. Exchange of information with and technical assistance for national legislatures and other authorities in each country, with the goal of bringing national legislation into line with ILO Conventions Nos. 138 and 182. This is being made possible by strengthening institutional partnerships among government agencies, NGOs, and workers' and employers' organizations. • Strengthening of institutional capacities. Holding training sessions, strengthening networks and technical assistance, all aimed at prevention and fostering the elimination of domestic labour and commercial sexual exploitation. It is also aimed at protecting rights, ensuring that educational needs are met and improving working conditions for adolescents above the minimum legal age for employment. • Awareness-raising for changing attitudes. Coordination with the media and other institutional stakeholders at the local and national levels to inform, mobilize, raise awareness and make the problem of CDL and CSEC publicly “visible.” Emphasis is being placed not only on the hazards of CDL and the children’s rights, but also on changing the perception of adult domestic workers, whose work is generally not valued. • Prevention in high-risk communities. Mobilization of various agents and organizations to implement initiatives in selected communities where there is a high incidence of CDL or CESEC or where a significant number of children and adolescents are recruited for CDL or CSEC. This implies working with families, schools, teachers and children and adolescents through participatory, engaging, educational activities. • Withdrawal from CDL of children under the minimum legal age for employment and all persons under age 18 found in hazardous conditions. Implementation of action programmes with local partners to allow the installation and/or reinforcement of Reference Centres for supporting CDWs and families and, when necessary, the establishment of rapid response mechanisms in areas with a high incidence of child domestic labour. • Protection of adolescent domestic workers and promotion of decent working conditions. Supp

Project symbol

RLA/04/54/USA

Admin unit

RO-Latin America and the Caribbean

Start date

30/09/2004

End date

31/12/2007

Total allocation

5344852

Total expenditure

Status

Closed

5340102

Development Partners

USA, United States Department of Labor, Bureau for International Labor Affairs, Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking

Country/Countries

Americas - regional

Outcomes

Child Labour