CARE to Participate with Labor Secretary Hilda Solis in Live Webcast on World Day Against Child Labor

Progress Noted Against Child Labor but Problems Remain

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 9, 2009) - As an international poverty-fighting organization with six decades of experience, CARE knows child labor doesn't pave the way to a better future. It makes it hard for girls, in particular, to get an education. That's why CARE, which works in 66 countries, recently launched the Power Within program. It helps communities lift themselves out of poverty by recognizing the special needs of those who are often doing the heaviest lifting: girls.

Child labor keeps girls out of school
The world can see the work girls do outside the home. But they also carry a "silent" burden, one often ignored or not talked about in policy debates – a high domestic workload. Girls often have responsibilities such as fetching water, washing clothes by hand, caring for siblings and other household chores that boys their age traditionally do not have. CARE notes that in many communities, domestic duties are a major reason girls are forced to leave school. It is important for formal and non-formal education systems to take this into account.

Solutions are possible
CARE is addressing the issues that lead to so many girls becoming trapped in child labor. "Working with communities to identify the root causes of child labor and to develop collaborative strategies to end this practice have been the hallmark of CARE's approach to child labor," says Melanie Chen who will represent CARE at the roundtable. "Our programs need to be part of a wider global movement."

Also taking part in the live webcast of the International Child Labor Roundtable on Wednesday, June 10, 2009, will be Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Tina Tchen, executive director of the White House Council on Women and Girls. The theme of this year's World Day against Child Labor is "Give Girls a Chance – End Child Labor."

"CARE is pleased to have this opportunity to exchange ideas about getting children, particularly girls, out of exploitative labor conditions and into educational settings," said Chen. According to UNICEF, there are more than 158 million children under the age of 15 who are used as child laborers.

The Webcast will be available at www.dol.gov starting at 10 a.m. EDT on June 10, 2009.

About CARE: Founded in 1945, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty.

Media Contacts:

Washington, D.C.: Nolu Crockett-Ntonga , CARE, nntonga@care.org, +1.202.595.2806, +1.301.219.1969

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