ILO-IPEC+ International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour
IPEC+, formed in 2015 by merging ILO's child labor and forced labor programs, is the flagship initiative targeting SDG 8.7 - eradicate child labor by 2025 and forced labor by 2030. Operating in 88+ countries, the program uses a theory of change with four pillars: (1) public policies and governance - better laws and enforcement, (2) partnerships and advocacy - including Alliance 8.7 global partnership, (3) empowerment and protection - bottom-up approaches for vulnerable families, (4) knowledge and data - surveys, tools, and evaluation. World Day Against Child Labour (June 12, since 2002) is a key advocacy moment. Convention 182 on Worst Forms of Child Labour achieved universal ratification by all 187 ILO members in 2020 - the fastest-ratified agreement in ILO history.
Theme Areas
Behavior Goal
Eliminate all forms of child labor; transform employer practices; strengthen family livelihoods to reduce push factors; shift social norms on child work
Target Audiences
Methods & Approaches
Implementers & Partners
- International Labour Organization (ILO)
- Alliance 8.7 partners
Donors & Sponsors
- Multiple development partners
- UN agencies
Key Takeaways
- 1Universal ratification of Convention 182 demonstrates global consensus
- 2World Day Against Child Labour (June 12) creates annual advocacy moment
- 3Theory of change addresses policies, partnerships, empowerment, and knowledge
- 4ACCEL Africa targets root causes in specific supply chains (cocoa, coffee, gold)
- 5Child Labour Platform provides due diligence guidance for companies