Breaking the Chains: Ivory Coast’s Battle Against Child Labor in the Cocoa Fields

In the ongoing battle to prevent children from toiling in cocoa fields, Ivory Coast is making significant strides.

Karim Soura’s story epitomizes this progress. At just 13 years old, he endured grueling hours in the cocoa fields of Mabéhiri 1, spraying chemicals under the scorching sun for nine hours a day, six days a week.

“I despised the work. It pained my legs and knees. I felt helpless,” he recounts.

With his elder sister married and departed, Karim’s parents, facing limited options and financial constraints, reluctantly enlisted him to work, flouting laws prohibiting hazardous labor for minors.

Approximately seven months ago, a glimmer of hope emerged when a charitable individual presented an alternative to Karim: vocational training. This opportunity not only offered him an escape from field labor but also shielded his family from legal repercussions.

Thus, Karim embarked on a six-month journey at a center for child labor victims in Soubré, where he honed his skills in sewing.

Karim joins over 200,000 children liberated from the grips of hazardous labor in Ivory Coast’s cocoa industry. Despite being a leading global cocoa producer, the nation grappled with child exploitation due to socioeconomic pressures.

However, spurred by international advocacy and led by figures like Dominique Ouattara, Ivory Coast took decisive action. Legislative measures were enacted to combat child trafficking and hazardous labor, while education became compulsory and free for all children aged six to 16.

Additionally, awareness campaigns and training initiatives equipped stakeholders to identify and eradicate child labor.

The Soubré center, established in 2018, serves as a sanctuary for children seeking refuge from exploitation. Here, they receive not only education and vocational training but also psychological support to heal from trauma.

In tandem with these efforts, regional police units dedicated to combating child trafficking have been established, resulting in numerous arrests and rescues.

Despite these strides, challenges persist, including funding shortages and the influx of trafficked children from neighboring conflict-ridden regions.

While progress has been noted, with increased school attendance and stable rates of child labor, the battle is far from over. International chocolate companies and government entities must intensify their efforts to eradicate this scourge entirely.

For Karim, the journey continues as he embarks on an apprenticeship with a local tailor, determined to shape a future free from cocoa fields for himself and his descendants.