๐ My Journey with the Global March Against Child LabourBy Lenin Raghuvanshi
Throwback to 1998 – France, Global March Against Child Labour
This photograph captures a historic moment — the Global March Against Child Labour, where people from every corner of the world united in one voice to end child exploitation and to ensure every child’s right to education, freedom, and dignity.
Among the thousands marching for justice were Sumedha Kailash and I, standing shoulder to shoulder with human rights defenders and child rights activists from across continents. It was a defining moment — one that strengthened my lifelong commitment to equality and human dignity.
✈️ The Beginning of a Transformative Journey
In January 1998, I joined the Global March Against Child Labour, beginning from Manila, Philippines — a journey that would forever shape my worldview.
This was also a deeply personal moment for me: my son, Kabeer Karunik, was born on January 24, 1998, just as I set out on this global mission. The first leg of the march took me through the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, witnessing both the beauty of human resilience and the harsh realities of child labor.
A memory that remains vivid is bathing in the sea at Sihanoukville, Cambodia, a moment of peace amidst a campaign of struggle and solidarity.
After completing that leg, I briefly returned to India to meet my newborn son — and then resumed the march from Madrid, Spain.
๐ค Meeting President Jacques Chirac
Our journey through Europe was historic. In France, we met His Excellency Mr. Jacques Chirac, the President of France, at the รlysรฉe Palace.
President Chirac welcomed us warmly. Over lunch, we discussed the mission of the Global March and the urgent need to eliminate child labor in the sporting goods industry. I presented to him an English translation of a powerful poem, “Look at Football,” written by Mr. Gyanendra Pati.
The President was deeply moved by our message and gifted us pens as symbols of dialogue and change. Two photographs from that moment remind me of the compassion and commitment that connected global leaders and grassroots activists in our shared cause.
๐ Living with Families in France
During the march, I lived with families in Girona, Toulouse, Poitiers, and La Rochelle. These experiences grounded me in empathy and expanded my understanding of human solidarity beyond borders.
I wrote letters to FIFA and the International Cricket Council (ICC), urging them to eliminate child labor from their supply chains. To my surprise, both organizations responded, expressing their commitment to responsible practices — a small but significant victory in our long struggle.
๐ถ The Next Chapter
In March 1999, my son Kabeer Karunik visited the Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) office — a symbolic moment that connected my activism with the next generation.
By May 1999, I resigned from BBA to expand my focus on human rights, dignity, and the fight against caste discrimination and patriarchy. My realization was clear: bonded and child labor were symptoms of deeper systemic inequalities, often rooted in caste and social hierarchy.
This understanding shaped the creation of PVCHR (People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights) and JanMitra Nyas, organizations dedicated to building a society based on justice, dignity, and inclusion.
๐ About the Global March Against Child Labour
The Global March Against Child Labour is a worldwide coalition of trade unions, teachers, and civil society organizations committed to eradicating child labor, slavery, and trafficking. It advocates for free, quality education and mobilizes support for key international conventions, including:
ILO Convention No. 138 (Minimum Age)
ILO Convention No. 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour)
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child
The Global March continues to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Target 8.7 (End modern slavery and child labor).
๐️ Conclusion
My journey with the Global March Against Child Labour remains one of profound learning and global solidarity. From the shores of Southeast Asia to the streets of Paris, it reminded me that justice knows no borders and compassion needs no translation.
Every child deserves a life of freedom, education, and dignity — and as long as child labor exists, our march must continue.
“Together, we can build a world where no child has to work for survival — only to dream.”
Further reading & reflections
“My Journey with the Global March Against Child Labour” by Lenin Raghuvanshi — Read on Medium
“A Memorable Reunion: Meeting Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi” by Lenin Raghuvanshi — Read on Medium
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