Baseline evaluation of the ‘Child Labor Free Jaipur’ hotspot using a mixed methods approach
Client: Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Background Context: The ‘Child Labor Free Jaipur’ initiative was focused on eliminating child labor by involving the government, industry, and local communities. Its aim was to promote cooperation between the Government of Rajasthan and the Government of Bihar to address child trafficking, removing children from exploitative conditions, and ensuring children’s reintegration.
Objectives
Development Solutions was commissioned to undertake a baseline evaluation that benchmarked two key aspects: Government responsiveness and shifting business norms on child labor. This project was commissioned by the Freedom Fund (supporting partners of the Government of Rajasthan on this project), together with CIFF, C&A Foundation, and the British Asian Trust. The Institute of Development Studies, Jaipur was a consortium partner for this evaluation. The objectives of the baseline were as follows:
- Assess government responsiveness to addressing the issue of child labor both by enforcing the law and enabling the business to become child labor-free.
- The shifting of the business norms, reflected in the reduction of the child labor engaged, in sectors such as saree embellishing, embroidery, bangle making and other handicrafts.
Approach and Methodology
- Method/ Design: A mixed-methods approach was taken for the study. Qualitative methods included Focus group discussions, key informant interviews and in-depth interviews whereas surveys were used in quantitative data collection.
- Key Respondents/ Informants: Workplace units, government records, civil society organizations and government officials.
- Key Areas of Inquiry: The areas of inquiry are divided into three broad categories – a) Workplace units in selected industries using child labor; b) The Response of government institutional systems, their scope, scale and quality; and c) Coordination between Government of Rajasthan and Bihar.
- Sample: 1400 workplace units (Quantitative), 10+ interactions (Qualitative)
Impact
The evaluation enabled insights into good practices and challenges in addressing child labor in the context of two states in India, i.e. Rajasthan and Bihar. The evaluation findings and results also informed child protection strategies and investments for the client.
Contact
17/109, Lower Ground Floor, Vikram Vihar, Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi – 110024