By Sulaiman Sesay
In the heart of Freetown’s Moyiba Community, a grim intersection of child labour, environmental degradation, and socio-economic hardship paints a troubling picture. Nine-year-old Sankoh (Not real name) forced involvement in stone mining is not merely a tragic story of exploitation; it is symptomatic of broader failures in enforcing child protection laws, environmental regulations, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Case of Sankoh: A Violation of Rights and SDG 4
Sankoh dreams of becoming a banker. However, on December 11, 2024, Sankoh was found extracting stones under the supervision of his grandmother a local stone miner, instead of being in school. Sankoh’s story highlights the widespread practice of child labour that deprives children of their right to education, a direct violation of SDG 4 (Quality Education), which calls for “inclusive and equitable quality education for all” by 2030.
Sankoh’s absence from school mirrors the struggles of many children across Sierra Leone. According to UNICEF, 13% of children aged 5-14 in the country are engaged in child labour. In communities like Moyiba, economic hardship often pushes families to prioritise survival over education, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
The Environmental Toll of Stone Mining: Ignoring SDG 15
Unchecked stone mining activities in Moyiba are not only violating children’s rights but also contributing to environmental degradation, undermining SDG 15 (Life on Land), which calls for the protection and sustainable management of ecosystems. Stone extraction leads to severe soil erosion, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss, leaving the land barren and ecosystems disrupted.
The Moyiba case highlights Sierra Leone’s challenges in implementing environmental laws. The Mines and Minerals Act of 2009 outlines guidelines for sustainable mining and prohibits mining practices that harm the environment. However, local miners in Moyiba, remain unaware of these laws.
“We depend on stone mining to survive, but I didn’t know it harms the environment or that children are not allowed to work,” the Grandmother confessed.
This lack of awareness reflects a significant policy gap: the absence of community engagement and education on environmental regulations.
Linking Child Labor and Environmental Degradation: The Role of SDG 8
While the SDGs aim to address child labour issues, environmental sustainability, and decent work, their implementation remains inconsistent in Sierra Leone. SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) explicitly targets the elimination of child labour, particularly in hazardous environments like stone mines. Yet, the reality in Moyiba reveals how poverty and the absence of economic alternatives push families to involve children in exploitative labour.
Narsu Fofanah, Chief Executive Officer of Susu Women’s Finance and Women’s Green Bank, stressed the need for targeted support for women in communities like Moyiba. “We must capacitate women with finance and alternative livelihoods to break this cycle of poverty and environmental destruction,” she stated.
The Legal Framework: Strong Laws, Weak Enforcement
Sierra Leone’s labour laws and environmental policies provide a strong legal foundation to address child labour and unsustainable mining. The Child Rights Act of 2007 prohibits children from engaging in hazardous work. Similarly, the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 regulates mining activities to ensure environmental protection. However, these laws are often poorly enforced due to limited resources, lack of community awareness, and weak monitoring systems.
Joyce Kamara, Director of Gender at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, condemned the exploitation of children like Sankoh. “This is a clear violation of children’s rights, and the Ministry will take action to ensure such practices are addressed,” she affirmed. Kamara also pointed to the Ministry’s temporary care programs for victims of child labour, but such initiatives are limited in reach and sustainability.
Civil society activist Marcus Bangura criticised the government’s failure to enforce laws, calling for “expeditious intervention and stringent penalties for those violating child labour laws.”
Feminism and Climate Action: A Missed Opportunity
The Moyiba case also underscores the critical need to empower women in the fight against environmental degradation and child labour. Chawlyn Caulker, Climate Change Manager at Trocaire, highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and the need to link feminist principles with climate action. “Women in communities like Moyiba bear the brunt of poverty and environmental challenges. Empowering them economically and socially is key to addressing these interconnected issues,” she noted.
Radical Inclusion Policy: A Glimmer of Hope
Sierra Leone’s National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools (2021) offers a potential solution to children like Sankoh's education challenges. The policy ensures that marginalised children, including those from poor households, can access quality education. If effectively implemented, it could provide a safety net for children vulnerable to exploitation.
However, this policy's success requires a holistic approach that addresses root causes, including poverty, lack of alternative livelihoods, and limited community awareness of existing laws and policies.
Bridging the Gaps in Law, Policy, and Practice
The case of Abbas Turay in Moyiba is a microcosm of Sierra Leone’s broader struggle to combat child labour, enforce environmental laws, and meet its commitments to the SDGs. While the legal frameworks and policies exist, gaps in enforcement, education, and economic opportunities leave communities like Moyiba trapped in cycles of poverty and exploitation.
To address this, a multi-pronged approach is needed:
• Community Education: Raise awareness of child labour laws, environmental regulations, and the SDGs.
• Economic Empowerment: Provide alternative livelihoods for families, particularly women, to reduce reliance on child labour.
• Policy Enforcement: Strengthen monitoring and enforcement of labour and environmental laws.
• Education Access: Fully implement the Radical Inclusion Policy to ensure all children attend school.
Through collective action by the government, civil society, and international partners, Sierra Leone can create a sustainable future where children like Sankoh are not forced to trade their dreams for survival.
This story is a product of the Green Journalism Fellowship, funded by the European Union in Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and Initiatives for Media Development (IMdev). The Fellowship stems from a five-day intensive green journalism training program that equipped journalists with the expertise to report on critical environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, and natural resource management, while promoting sustainable development and raising public awareness in Sierra Leone.
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