Child Labour: An Analysis of Work Differential across Gender in India

Abstract

A quality and wholesome childhood is a basic right of all children, irrespective of their place in society. However, a section of children continue to be deprived of their inalienable right. Although India has made significant progress in the way of universalization of basic education and eradication of dropout, yet a large section of children are deprived of care and work as labour. In this study, a critical analysis has been carried out to assess this burning issue with associated dimensions related to gender disparity in types of work engagement and education levels in the Indian context using various data sources. A debate on employed as well as potential child labour has been emphasized in the conceptualisation of child labour. In brief, the evidence of unaccounted contribution of child labour in the labour market has been observed. There exists a greater limitation in assessing the contribution of girls among child labourers primarily because they are employed in the informal domestic sphere. While there is lower employment of girl children in the job market, a higher level of potential girl child labour is observed and this is more prevalent in north than south India. Basic education renders the child more employable. The overall analysis is helpful in identifying the ‘nowhere children’.