It is a deprivation of childhood. A danger that negatively affects children physically, mentally, psychologically and socially, and exposes them to many risks. It is child labor, which spread gravely and increased its risks under the Corona pandemic.

In response to this this phenomenon, and on the occasion of the World Day Against Child Labor, SSSD’s team in Homs in cooperation with UNHCR launched an awareness raising campaign within Child Protection Program under the title “it is too early”, in Shin, Al-Hosn and Al-Qusayr.

The campaign targeted all age groups from both genders, and aimed to raise awareness about the risks of child labor, especially in light of the Corona pandemic. In addition to discussing its reasons, and cooperating with the beneficiaries to come up solutions to limit it in our society.

 During the campaign, the team implemented several sessions in the community centers, following all safety and precautionary measures such as periodic sterilization, wearing masks and gloves, maintaining social distancing, and limiting beneficiaries’ attendance for each session. 17 beneficiaries benefitted from these sessions.

 Other sessions were implemented through social media platforms in coordination with Health Point Program, and the legal department in SARC, benefitting about 505 beneficiaries.
Children and caregivers showed great interaction during the sessions, emphasizing its influence and the importance of providing the legal and health information related to child labor.

 To conclude the campaign, the adolescents of child protection clubs in the community centers shared the information through social media platforms, reaching over 240 beneficiaries. Moreover, they designed brochures explaining the risks of child labor and distributed them to 10 working children in their job locations, and encouraged them to follow safety procedures to protect themselves from Coronavirus.

"The natural place for my son is in the school, but the conditions are stronger than us" expressed one of the women in the awareness campaign entitled "School Is My Place" in the World Day Against Child Labor, which implemented by the Syrian Society for Social Development in cooperation with UNHCR at Ward Jury Center with the participation of the Child's Club.

The month-long campaign targeted women, working children, people with special needs, non-workers and employers in several regions within Banias city. The sessions focused on labor risks, their economic and social reasons, with an emphasis on the need to engage the child in work that does not fit their physical abilities, and to report any abuse to which the child is exposed at work environment and how to protect the child from such abuse by employers and the family.

During the sessions, it was emphasized on observing all precautionary measures and safety distances to prevent the emerging Coronavirus.