Factors leading to child labor exploitation and the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study examined factors leading to child labor exploitation and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) involvement in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. It involved two NGOs in Addis Ababa: Sheger Child and Family Development Society (SCFDS) and Future Hopes International Development Organization (FHIDO). A cross-sectional descriptive research design was used. The findings of this study revealed that sex, age, household size, child relationship with the family, family employment status, marital status, and educational level of the household were significant predictors of child labor abuse in the research areas. The results also showed that both FHIDO and SCFDS provided various services to end child labor abuses in the study areas. Also, the chosen non-governmental organizations provide school materials and supplies and educational and vocational training on child labor exploitation and how to handle it for the children and their parents/guardians. Despite political reasons, the NGOs’ training for households and children was not effective in altering the problem of child labor abuse. Therefore, the researcher recommends that there should be collaborative and strong vocational and educational training that raises awareness in society as a whole of the potential impact of premature child work and that these NGOs should improve their ways of providing their wakefulness creation training for the community.