Child domestic servitude is a severe, yet often hidden, form of child labour and violence that affects millions of children worldwide, with girls being disproportionately impacted. These children are forced into domestic work due to a range of factors including poverty, gender discrimination, and displacement. They perform household chores, care for children, and run errands, often behind closed doors, making them invisible to the outside world. This invisibility prevents them from accessing education, protection, and other vital services, trapping them in a cycle of exploitation and abuse.
Ending child domestic servitude is possible, but it requires immediate and coordinated efforts. Governments and communities must raise awareness, transform social attitudes, and empower girls and women to break free from traditional roles that perpetuate this form of labour. Legislative and regulatory actions are crucial to combat child labour in domestic work and ensure that all children have access to a quality, inclusive, and safe education. The clock is ticking, with only one year left to meet the global goal of ending child labour by 2025. We must act now to protect these children and restore their rights.