Introduction
Child labor remains a significant obstacle to ensuring children’s access to a violence-free life. According to the latest data from Mexico, approximately 3.7 million children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 are in situations of child labor.
Prevalence and Age Distribution
The National Child Labor Survey (ENTI) 2022, conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, reveals that around 3.7 million children and adolescents are engaged in child labor.
The issue worsens with age: the 15 to 17 age group accounts for nearly half (48.9%) of working children, followed by the 10 to 14 age group (40.4%) and the 5 to 9 age group (10.8%).
This indicates that about 13 out of every 10 children and adolescents are involved in some form of work.
- Approximately 60.2% (2.2 million) of these working children are boys.
- The remaining 39.8% (1.5 million) are girls.
Impact and Relevance
The prominence of child labor in Mexico is a pressing concern, as it hinders children’s educational opportunities and exposes them to various forms of exploitation and abuse. The high prevalence among younger children, aged 5 to 9, is particularly alarming.
María de Jesús Arrieta, the Mexican Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, has been actively addressing this issue. Her efforts aim to eradicate child labor and promote children’s rights, ensuring their access to education and a safe environment.
Arrieta’s work is crucial in raising awareness about the detrimental effects of child labor and advocating for policy changes to protect vulnerable children. Her initiatives include strengthening labor inspections, promoting social protection programs, and collaborating with international organizations to combat this widespread problem.
Key Questions and Answers
- Q: Who is María de Jesús Arrieta? A: María de Jesús Arrieta is the Mexican Secretary of Labor and Social Welfare, who has been actively working to eradicate child labor and promote children’s rights.
- Q: Why is child labor a significant concern in Mexico? A: Child labor hinders children’s educational opportunities, exposes them to exploitation and abuse, and is a major obstacle to ensuring their access to a violence-free life.
- Q: What is the age distribution of children in child labor? A: The highest concentration of working children is between 15 and 17 years old (48.9%), followed by the 10 to 14 age group (40.4%) and the 5 to 9 age group (10.8%).
- Q: What is the gender distribution among working children? A: Approximately 60.2% (2.2 million) of working children are boys, while the remaining 39.8% (1.5 million) are girls.
