Global Call to Action Against Child Labor
The International Labour Organization (ILO) Director-General, Gilbert F. Houngbo, highlighted that approximately 138 million children worldwide are subjected to child labor, with 54 million engaged in hazardous work that endangers their health, safety, and development. Houngbo declared this situation unacceptable and urged for increased action, calling for renewed global commitments through expanded access to decent work, education, social protection, and stronger legal safeguards.
This year’s theme, Red Card to Child Labour: For Fair Play for Children and Decent Work for All, emphasizes the necessity of securing every child’s right to learn, play, and grow in a safe environment. The recently adopted Marrakesh Global Framework on Child Labour aims to provide a roadmap to achieve this goal by promoting decent work for parents, universal access to quality education, robust social protection systems, and reinforced laws and institutions. The framework also introduces measurable indicators and an accountability mechanism to monitor implementation and sustain momentum beyond the 2030 target date. Houngbo urged, “Let us act together with urgency and determination to end child labor.”.
ICC Prosecutor Suspended Amid Investigation
International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan has been suspended with immediate effect following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. The ICC Presidency confirmed on Tuesday that the bureau of the court decided to refer the disciplinary investigation into the prosecutor to its 125 member states. Karim Khan has repeatedly denied the allegations. The ICC’s governing body will forward the outcome of the internal investigation to the members, who will subsequently decide on Khan’s future in a special session. The institution stressed that the suspension does not prejudge the outcome of the case. The Presidency stated, “Nurturing the dignity, rights, and aspirations of the Court’s personnel are fundamental priorities of the Court’s leadership.”.
World Food Programme Highlights Food Security in Egypt Through Cinema
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) is transforming Egyptian cinema screens into platforms for raising awareness about hunger and food security with its new campaign, ‘Not My Day’. The campaign, broadcast before film screenings nationwide, uses storytelling to underscore the often-overlooked role of food security in shaping daily life. Developed in partnership with the Association of Video and Film Producers and the creative production hub Tayarah, the promotional video reaches audiences in cinemas across the country. Running until June 17 across 46 cinema screens, the campaign coincides with a critical period where funding shortfalls threaten vital food assistance programs.
The campaign features prominent Egyptian personalities, including actor Ahmed Magdy, iEvents founder Amr Mansi, chef and culinary academy founder Mona El Banna, award-winning chef Mostafa Seif, and chef Peri Saleh. As each shares their daily routines, viewers discover they are actually recounting the real experiences of people supported by the WFP in Egypt. By attaching familiar voices to stories of food insecurity, the campaign emphasizes that access to food forms the foundation of dignity, stability, and opportunity. Rawad Halabi, WFP Country Director and Representative in Egypt, noted that through the campaign, the organization is “bringing new audiences into a conversation about food security in a way that has never been done before.”.
