In Madagascar, almost 3 out of 10 children aged between 5 and 17 work. This is hardly surprising on this Indian Ocean island, where almost 70% of the population live on less than 2 euros a day. Living conditions are often very precarious, due to a steady decline in purchasing power, exacerbated by the economic and political crises that the country has been experiencing for several years. In this difficult context, eating enough to eat, getting medical care and receiving an education are real luxuries. And for families, depriving themselves of two able-bodied arms and legs, even young ones, to meet their needs is unthinkable.
In the districts of Antsiranana, Sakaraha and Toamasina, where Aide et Action International is active, a large majority of children work in the mining and quarrying sectors, in agriculture and livestock farming, as well as street vending. 20% of them, the vast majority of them girls, are also victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Based on the assumption that if the precariousness of families is reduced, child labour will be mitigated, Aide et Action International, as part of the "Fight against child labour in Madagascar" programme, is helping parents to develop income-generating activities by providing them with materials to launch their activities and by training them in the professions and techniques they may need to succeed.
