Globally, more than 60 million workers are employed in the garment and footwear sector. Many of them are parents and caregivers who support families. UNICEF estimates that more than 100 million children are affected in the garment and footwear supply chain globally – as workers, children of working parents, and community members near farms and factories. While child labour is a critical concern, children are also impacted in many other ways – from weak maternity protection for working mothers, absence of childcare and breastfeeding support in factories, and poor WASH and living conditions in garment worker communities.
This document provides practical steps on how companies can integrate children’s rights into their sustainability strategies and responsible sourcing frameworks. It was developed as part of the Network on Children’s Rights in the Garment and Footwear Sector, which was established by UNICEF and Norges Bank Investment Management (NBIM) in 2017.