City-based lawyer-activist Lalitha Natarajan has been awarded the 2023 Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour, the US Consulate here said on Tuesday.
US Consul General Judith Ravin presented the award to Natarajan at a recent ceremony held at the Consulate General here.
A release from the US Consulate said the Iqbal Masih Award is a US Congress-mandated, non-monetary award established by the Secretary of Labour in 2008 that honours extraordinary contributions to combat child labour.
"The Iqbal Masih Award honours its namesake – a Pakistani child sold into slavery as a carpet weaver at age 4 who escaped his captors at 10. Iqbal Masih became an outspoken public advocate against child exploitation for which he received numerous human rights awards until he was tragically killed in 1995 at the age of 12. The award commemorates the World Day Against Child Labor that is observed on June 12 every year to raise awareness and activism to prevent child labour," it added.
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The release further said Natarajan has worked throughout her career as a lawyer and activist to apply rights-based approaches to child labour.
"As a leader in the fight to end exploitative child labour in southern India, she identifies child victims of trafficking, specifically bonded labour, assisting in their re-integration into society. As a member of the Child Welfare Committee (North Zone), under the Department of Social Defense, Government of Tamil Nadu, she ensures victims receive compensation under the Child Labor Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO). Besides working on child labour issues, Lalitha Natarajan also provides legal and counseling support to victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse," it said.
Judith Ravin was quoted as saying that the battle against bonded labour is a high priority for the US government and the American people. She also hailed Natarajan as a "true champion."
Natarajan said,"I feel honoured to receive the prestigious Iqbal Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labour from the US Department of Labour. This award will further motivate me to work for the cause of children."