“We love to listen to our customers and for this reason we would be delighted to hear from you if you would like a bespoke fair trade product made especially for you.”

World Day Against Child Labour and International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour 2021 - Sabeena Z Ahmed

World Day Against Child Labour and International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour 2021 - Sabeena Z Ahmed

WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR AND INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ELIMINATION

OF CHILD LABOUR 2021 

 World Day Against Child Labour 2020 

 

World Day Against Child Labour 2021 Campaign (ILO) poster

 World Day Against Child Labour is observed on June 12th.

World Day Against Child Labour is observed on June 12th.

World Day Against Child Labour is intended to highlight the plight of working children and to support the worldwide movement against child labour.

Did you know that 2021 is the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour? I am ashamed to say that I didn't!

Source: International Labour Organization

Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, in light of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.7 that seeks to eliminate all forms of child labour by 2025.

I had no idea that there are approximately 152 million boys and girls trapped in child labour worldwide, and 71% or 108 million of them are working in agriculture.

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations the impact of the current COVID-19 pandemic on agri-food systems is exacerbating rural poverty and leading to an increase in child poverty, school dropout and food insecurity.

Children are being increasingly involved in working activities to compensate labour gaps and income losses in food and agricultural production.

This situation is likely to reverse progress and undermine efforts to eradicate rural poverty (SDG 1), achieve zero hunger (SDG 2), and eliminate child labour (SDG 8.7).

Source: Food and Agriculture Organization Of The United Nations

 

WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR 2021 WEBINAR

To support the call to eliminate child labour, I attended a webinar On World Day Against Child Labour, 8 June 2021.

The webinar was titled, 'Stacey Fru dialogue on Child Labour in Africa,' and was hosted by Molly Namirembe.

Molly Namirembe, anchor of the World Against Child Labour 2021 webinar

Molly Namirembe, anchor of the World Against Child Labour 2021 webinar

The following guest speakers passionately talked about eliminating child labour.

The first guest speaker to talk about Child Labour was Faith Manyala.

Faith talked about how we can identify child labour and to take action and take individual pledges to eliminate child labour.

Faith Manyala, guest speaker - World Day Against Child Labour 2021 webinar

Faith Manyala, guest speaker - World Day Against Child Labour 2021 webinar

 

The second guest speaker was James Ahamdu.

James Ahamdu, guest speaker and activist, World Day Against Child Labour 2021 webinar

James Ahamdu, guest speaker and activist

James talked about being a child labourer and an orphan.

James was exposed to exploitation and physical and mental abuse by employers at a very tender age.

James child labouring days came to an end when a stranger asked why he was not in school.

This stranger heard his story and James was referred to a child trafficking organisation where he received support and rehabilitation.

Many thanks to James for sharing a very personal and painful account of his childhood.

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish him a happy, bright and prosperous future, thank you for being a strong and powerful child labour advocate.

 

The third speaker was Stacey Fru, a celebrated author and activist.

Stacey Fru, guest speaker, author and activist, World Day Against Child Labour 2021 webinar

Stacey talked about her book 'Where is Tammy?' and the Stacey Fru Foundation.

Many thanks to the Administration team, Aimee and Molly Namirembe for graciously hosting and supporting the guest speakers.

The webinar was informative, educational and powerful.

 

Fair Trade = No Child Labour or Forced Labour

As a social entrepreneur, fairtrade campaigner and educator, I am pleased to say that the World Fair Trade Organization supports No Child Labour.

Fair Trade Principle 5 specifically states No Child Labour, No Forced Labour.

The Ten Principles of Fair Trade

The Ten Principles of Fair Trade

 

Principle 5 - No Child Labour, No Forced Labour

 

 

Chocolate, Child Trafficking and

The Dark Side of Chocolate 

During 2011 I was awarded with the BoldTalks Open Mind Award and met renowned producer and film maker Miki Mistrati who was a guest speaker at BoldTalks Dubai, UAE.

 photo here

His film 'The Dark Side of Chocolate' had a deep and powerful impact on me and my late mother. 

It was horrifying to see young children sold into slavery, forced and beaten to work in cocoa plantations.

The effect of the film made me question my chocolate purchases and raise awareness for fairtrade chocolate, The Ten Principles of Fair Trade and fairtrade cocoa farmers.

I would highly recommend everyone purchases a copy of The Dark Side of Chocolate and support fair trade companies who are ethically accredited with the fairtrade certified, slavery free and organic.

 The Dark Side of Chocolate Trailer courtesy of Miki Mistrati and U Roberto Romano 

 

Fair Trade Chocolate Master Class with

Bruce Crowther MBE

As a passionate fairtrade chocoholic I visited Bruce Crowther MBE in Garstang during November 2016, for a special Chocolate Masterclass

We produced a delicious batch of bean to bar fairly traded chocolate using cocoa beans grown by Fredrick the Farmer in Ghana.

Fredrick fairtrade farmer with Kuapa Kokoo and his cocoa beans used to produce The FIG Tree chocolate

The cocoa grown by Fredrick in Ghana.

Fredrick is a member of the Kuapa Kukoo Farmers Cooperative Ghana, and it was wonderful feeling knowing he had grown the cocoa for our chocolate.

 

Interview with Bruce Crowther MBE

 

Chocolate Masterclass Photo's

 Cocoa Beans - Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Fredrick's fair trade cocoa beans roasted shells intact

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Grinding the cocoa beans into a thick chocolate liquor

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

Refining the cocoa until it was smooth and flowed easily

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Measuring the temperature

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Fine sugar

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Bruce adding and mixing sugar to the chocolate liquor

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Bruce measuring cocoa butter

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Final produce fair trade chocolate read to eat

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE produced by Sabeena Ahmed

 Delicious fair trade Fig Tree chocolate

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 The Fig Tree Chocolate

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 The Fig Tree Chocolate

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Bruce Crowther MBE visited November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed

 Bruce Crowther MBE and me!

 

Bruce Crowther MBE writing in The Little Fair Trade Shop Guest Book, Garstang UK November 2017

 Bruce Crowther MBE writing in The Little Fair Trade Shop Guest Book, Garstang, UK - November 2017

 

Bruce's words of support

''So good to have you back in Garstang Sabeena and have the joy

of making bean to bar chocolate with you.

Now 5 years on we are struggling to continue with The FIG Tree but we are STILL HERE and the chocolate smells good.

Let's continue the struggle together acrosse the globe that sees

1853 Fair Trade Towns in 29 countries.''

Bruce Crowther

 

 Bruce Crowther MBE guest comments in The Little Fair Trade Shop guest book Nov 16

Guest book comments 

 

Chocolate Master Class Bean to Bar Chocolate with Nadia Hussain and Bruce Crowther MBE produced November 2016 by Sabeena Ahmed and Bruce Crowther MBE

 I presented Nadiya Hussain with the chocolate I had produced

with Bruce Crowther MBE

 

Book signing and fairtrade gifts including The Fig Tree fair trade chocolate presented to Jo Malone by Sabeena Ahmed and The Little Fair Trade Shop, Dubai, UAE

 I also presented Jo Malone with fair trade chocolate produced

by Bruce Crowther MBE and me!

 

It was a tiring morning but well worth it!

I purchased lots of Fig Tree chocolate and shared it with like minded individuals in Dubai.

 

 

Namaste and Fashion's Hidden Supply Chain with GoodWeave International

This year Namaste (a lovely fair trade wholesaler) based in the UK have asked fair trade retailers and campaigners to share a video about Muskaan a former child labourer.

This inspirational, three-minute video highlights the story of Muskaan, a 13-year-old girl and former child laborer, discovered by GoodWeave inspectors while working in a home-based, outsourced apparel supply chain in India.

It was filmed and produced by Will Jack Robinson of The Studio_M.

 Source: GoodWeave International and Will Jack Robinson of The Studio_M.

 I hope to share photographs of my GoodWeave rug soon.

 

What you can do to end child labour?

World Day Against Child Labour 2021 Campaign (ILO)

  

World Day Against Child Labour 2021 was an opportunity to give visibility to eliminate Child Labour. 

Do your part to end child labour.

Share a picture of yourself as a kid with this caption:

“As a kid, I wanted to become __. I’m sharing this photo to support the United Nations Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, because I believe kids should dream now and work later. I challenge @(tag Name 1), @(Name 2), @(Name 3) to do the same. #EndChildLabour2021″

 

1. Choose a photo.

 

Sabeena Ahmed with friend Helen Williams, ACTION to eliminate Child Labour 2021 photo

 Sabeena with friends at the Old Moat Junior School, Manchester, UK

 

2. Make your post

 

 

Sabeena Ahmed - 'World Day Against Child Labour 2021 and United Nations Year of  Elimination of Child Labour.'
'As a kid, I wanted to become a forensic scientist.
I’m sharing this photo to support the United Nations Year for the Elimination of Child Labour, because I believe kids should dream now & work later.
I challenge @chrislongden@soniassmile
to do the same. #EndChildLabour2021'

 

3. Join the movement

 

 Are you in? Join the challenge?

 

Use the social media hashtag: #EndChildLabour2021

  

Much love and respect to all child labour activists, campaigners and supporters
In Solidarity
Sabeena

 

FURTHER READING AND LINKS

World Day Against Child Labour

 End Child Labour - International Year For The Elimination of Child Labour 2021

The Dark Side of Chocolate

Fair Trade Chocolate Masterclass with Bruce Crowther MBE

The World Fair Trade Organization 

Namaste UK

GoodWeave International





Also in The Little Fair Trade Blog

May 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary
May 2024 - Newsletter Video Blog Summary

This month my right shoulder is still very painful and I have struggled to record this vlog and type this blog.

Despite my pain I managed to edit my Fairtrade Ramadan 2024 video.

I happy to announce that I completed my 12th year participating in the Six Items Challenge 2024 with Labour Behind The Label.

I hope to upload videos of my Six Items Challenge 2024 when I feel better.

Translation in Urdu

اردو میں ترجمہ


اس مہینے میرے دائیں کندھے میں اب بھی بہت درد ہے اور میں نے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنے کے لیے بہت جدوجہد کی ہے۔

اپنی تکلیف کے باوجود میں اپنی فیئر ٹریڈ رمضان 2024 ویڈیو ایڈٹ اور پوسٹ کرنے میں کامیاب رہی 

مجھے یہ اعلان کرتے ہوئے خوشی ہو رہی ہے کہ میں نے لیبر کے پیچھے لیبر کے ساتھ سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 میں حصہ لیتے ہوئے اپنا 12 واں سال مکمل کر لیا ہے۔

مجھے امید ہے کہ جب میں بہتر محسوس کرونگی  تو اپنے سکس آئٹمز چیلنج 2024 کی ویڈیوز اپ لوڈ کرونگی ۔

 

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World Fair Trade Day 2024, ۲۰۲۴ ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ ڈے with Sabeena Z Ahmed
World Fair Trade Day 2024, ۲۰۲۴ ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ ڈے with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This year the World Fair Trade Day was observed on the 11th May 2024.

The World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) theme was ''Business Revolution.''

This year I was unable to record a video in English or Urdu but did manage to handwrite a poster in English and Urdu.

Translation in Urdu

اس سال عالمی منصفانہ تجارت کا دن 11 مئی 2024 کو منایا گیا۔

ورلڈ فیئر ٹریڈ آرگنائزیشن (WFTO) کا تھیم ''بزنس ریوولوٹن'' تھا۔

اس سال میں انگریزی یا اردو میں ویڈیو ریکارڈ  نہیں کر سکی لیکن انگریزی اور اردو میں پوسٹر ہاتھ سے لکھنے میں کامیاب رہی۔

 

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World Cancer Day 2024 ورلڈ کینسر ڈے (Engish and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed
World Cancer Day 2024 ورلڈ کینسر ڈے (Engish and Urdu) with Sabeena Z Ahmed

This World Cancer Day 2024 I  hand wrote the poster in Urdu and English and posted it to my Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn Profiles.

I attended a sisters only art therapy workshop with my sister Irem, this workshop was organised by The Muslim Bereavement Support Service.

Due to my own going shoulder issues I have struggled with my right shoulder to type this blog has been painful to type.

اس ورلڈ کینسر ڈے 2024 میں میں نے ہاتھ سے پوسٹر اردو اور انگریزی میں لکھا اور اسے اپنے X، Facebook اور LinkedIn پروفائلز پر پوسٹ کیا۔

میں نے اپنی بہن ارم کے ساتھ ایک سسٹرس اونلی آرٹ تھراپی ورکشاپ میں شرکت کی، یہ ورکشاپ دی مسلم بیریومنٹ سپورٹ سروس نے منعقد کی تھی۔

میرے اپنے کندھے کے مسائل کی وجہ سے میں نے اپنے دائیں کندھے سے ٹائپ کرنے کے لئے جدوجہد کی ہے اس بلاگ کو ٹائپ کرنا تکلیف دہ رہا ہے۔

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