From Vulnerability to Resilience: Expanding Social Protection to Combat Child Labor

When families have access to social supports, from birth registrations to unemployment benefits to in-kind food or cash programs, they are far less likely to resort to child labor to weather an economic or social crisis. Robust social protection systems can help keep food on the table and kids in school and play a critical role in reducing poverty and inequality. But in many countries, these services are lacking or absent. Those already at the margins because of race, gender, class, disability, or other status often face higher barriers to access these vital services.

This joint U.S. Department of Labor and International Labor Organization, Office for the United States and Canada event will feature a conversation with leaders in the field as they discuss where social protection is having an impact in the fight to end child labor and where more support is needed to reach at-risk children and families.