Child Labour in South Asia: Assessing the Effectiveness of Interventions: Rapid Evidence Assessment
This assessment examines evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to combat the worst forms of child labour in 4 South Asian countries
Abstract
This Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) examines evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to combat the worst forms of child labour in 4 South Asian countries. The research question for this REA is: ‘What has been the effect of interventions to reduce the incidence and prevalence of the worst forms of child labour in Bangladesh, Pakistan, India and Nepal?’. After extensive searches, screening, and quality appraisals, 12 high and medium quality studies were identified for inclusion.
Overall, the evidence base is found to have significant gaps with regard to the countries covered, types of intervention, types of child labour (sector) addressed, and effects by gender and by age group. These shortcomings make it very difficult to draw anything more than indicative conclusions from the REA findings. Nevertheless, It indicates that interventions aimed at reducing household5 vulnerability/risk are more effective in tackling child labour than those increasing household earnings. It also highlights the need for targeted, context-specific but holistic approaches. A key finding is that there is a dearth of research on the impact of interventions to combat child labour – something that needs to be addressed urgently.
Citation
Idris, I., Oosterhoff, P. and Pocock, N. (2020) Child Labour in South Asia: Assessing effectiveness of interventions. London: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
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