Slavery has been around for a long time. It's when people are treated like they're not even people, but like they're someone else's property. They're forced to work hard without getting paid and often in really tough conditions. Even though most countries have banned slavery now, it still happens in some places today. It might not always look the same as it did in the past, but people are still being treated unfairly and made to work against their will. Many girls are, for example, forced to work as maids for only a little food and a place to sleep. That's called domestic slavery. Others are forced to work in farms or factories. Some work to pay off their family's debt.

Did you know that you have the right not to be forced into dangerous work? Article 32 of the UN Convention says every child should be safe from this kind of work. School and play are incredibly important for you to grow up happy and healthy. However, 79 million children around the world are working in jobs that can harm their safety, health, development, and schooling. Around 300,000 children are used in war as soldiers, porters, or de-miners. And of all the millions of people trafficked each year, a third are estimated to be children. Girls are especially vulnerable to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC).

Article 35 is important because it says no one is allowed to kidnap or sell you. Think of it as a big, red stop sign telling people they can't treat you like a commodity, a thing, or an object that they can buy and sell. You're a person, a human being! This article helps keep you safe from those who might try to take children away from their homes for the wrong reasons.

You have the right to live free from harm. These articles ensure you're protected from violence, abuse, and very harsh punishment. Whether you're at home, school, or anywhere else, you deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. Being hit, mistreated, or punished cruelly is not acceptable. For example, children working as maids in private households, are often mistreated by their employers, but invisible to the outside world. The rules in these articles act like a shield, keeping you safe.

In the 20th century, child labour was widespread around the world. Many children, as young as five or six, were forced to work in factories, mines, and on farms, instead of going to school or playing like children should. They often worked long hours in dangerous conditions for very little pay. However, in some countries in Europe, their wealth, in part gained through colonialism in, for example, Africa and Asia, allowed them to build schools for children and raise wages for workers. This helped to improve the situation for many children, as they were allowed to receive an education and pursue better futures. Many also protested against harmful child labour. Laws were gradually introduced to protect them from exploitation. However, even now, child labour still exists in many parts of the world. Many children work in harmful conditions, even being exploited as slaves. Efforts must continue to ensure the end to child labour and slavery.