Honduras, hybrid modality, Friday, October 11, 2024
Highlights: Honduras has approximately 2.5 million girls and boys between the age of 5 and 17. The National Child Labor Survey (ENTIH) in its report published in 2023, shows that more than one million are at risk of child labor. 472,983 carry out dangerous activities for long hours, 342,180 carry out economic activities, especially related to agriculture 36.4%. The same survey estimates that 46.1% were dedicated only to one or more activities related to production for self-consumption.
Sustainable Development Goal 8 on decent work and economic growth, specifically target 8.7, calls on the international community to end child labor in all its forms by 2025. However, one year before the deadline, there are still 160 million children and adolescents involved in child labor worldwide, 70% of whom (or 112 million) are in agriculture. Honduras is a pioneer country in Alliance 8.7, committing to accelerate its efforts to end child labor. Through its Roadmap for the Elimination of Child Labor in All Its Forms 2021-2025, the country includes among its strategic lines of action an integrated inter-institutional approach and the strengthening of the operational and budgetary capacity of key institutions. Since 2011, Honduras has also signed the Rotterdam Convention, in force since 2004, which aims to promote shared responsibility and joint efforts of the Parties in the area of international trade in certain hazardous chemicals in order to protect human health and the environment from potential harm.
In 2023, Honduras is included as a beneficiary country of the “Ending Child Labour in Supply Chains” Project. A global project implemented by four United Nations agencies (ILO, UNICEF, FAO, ITC) in the departments of Intibucá, Lempira and Copán and which prioritizes the coffee value chain. To contribute to this purpose, FAO makes available the Global Framework to end child labour in agriculture, various methodologies and experts.
Honduras participated in November 2023 in a online course entitled “Child labour and hazardous pesticides. Addressing child labor in agriculture by reducing the risks posed by dangerous pesticides” together with seven other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. This was an opportunity to exchange experiences and learn about national priorities.
Organizers: The FAO Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention in the Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), the Child Labour in Agriculture Prevention team in the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) and the FAO Office in Honduras
Working Language: Spanish
Workshop objectives
Disseminate the Visual Guide for Facilitators “Protect Children from Pesticides!”, agree on key concepts and actions on prevention, addressing child labor and caring for children from exposure to pesticides and other dangerous substances or situations.
Target audience
Technical staff and intermediate decision makers from the Ministry of Agriculture (SAG) and its departments such as PRONAGRO, DICTA, PROJOVEN, Vice Ministry of the Coffee Subsector, Designated National Authority of the Rotterdam Convention.