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U.S. Embassy creates Awareness of Child Labor with its June 13 Fashion Show and Crafts Exhibit

Yaounde, June 11, 2007

The U.S. Embassy in Yaounde is partnering with the International Labour Organization and Cameroonian non-governmental organizations to combat child labor. The second annual trade fair and fashion show extravaganza takes place at the Embassy on June 13, 2007, in partnership with NGOs to inform the public on the issue of child labor in Cameroon. The models are former victims of child labor, wearing their own hand-tailored garments as proof of the benefits of vocational training. Young models will be joined by several government officials, who are participating to highlight the need for increased awareness about the issue. The fashion show and arts-and-crafts fair will enable these children, rescued from child labor or child trafficking, to show what they are capable of doing and to prove that their talents are better served in school or in vocational training rather than in cocoa fields, rubber plantations or domestic servitude. Cotonnière Industrielle du Cameroun (CICAM) has chosen this event to introduce its new line of fabric by way of a generous donation of 80 bolts of cloth. The fashion creations are made entirely from cloth and notions donated locally and from abroad.

In explaining why the United States lends its support to the fight against child labor, Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Jendayi E. Frazer has said: "The United States is determined to end this modern form of slavery. We have a particular duty to fight this scourge because trafficking in persons and child labor is an affront to the principles of human dignity and liberty, upon which this nation was founded … A solution to a problem begins with awareness." For more information on Child Labor, see the 2007 Trafficking in Persons Report, put out by the U.S. Department of State Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2007, and the International Programme on the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC)
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/standards/ipec/index.htm.

For further information, please contact the Information Section of the U.S. Embassy, Yaounde, Tel 22-20-15-00, x4162 or x4273.

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