On June 24, an exhibition showcasing paintings by working children was held at Drik Gallery, Dhanmondi. The exhibition featured some 200 works by children (ranging between 10 and 14). The event was held on the occasion of International Anti Child-labour Day, which is observed on June 12 every year.

The programme was organised by five NGOs -- UDP, SPK, SUROVI, BDSC, and CATALYST -- all working under the project "Basic education for hard to reach urban working children" (2nd phase) by Bangladesh Government. The project is funded by UNICEF and SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency).

The aim of the project is to provide basic education to the child labourers. The programme maintains a specially designed curriculum, equivalent to primary education. There is also another course under the current programme, which offers training for working children, educating them on safer and productive work. The project is coordinated by 20 NGOs working all over the country.

The exhibition was inaugurated by M Bazlul Karim Chowdhury, deputy director of the project.

Despite programmes discouraging child labour, the number of working children is currently on the rise in our country. It is becoming a social epidemic. In most cases a child worker is denied basic rights and often falls victim to physical and psychological abuse as well as hazardous work conditions.

Twelve year-old Nayeem Iqbal slogs at a auto workshop. Part of his job is to weld metals. The highly dangerous working condition is depicted in Nayeem's drawing. Fourteen year-old Razia, a fulltime domestic help, has painted her life -- doing all the chores, even looking after a toddler just to secure three meals a day and sleeping in the kitchen.

Poverty is the main reason behind child labour. Unable to support basic needs, impoverished families send their children to work. These children are deprived of education and a carefree childhood, basic rights of every individual. Life for them becomes a monotonous drill of hard labour.

The exhibition brought to light the issues these working children face. Hopefully the drawings found empathy among the visitors.