Trocaire’s annual Lenten campaign was begun today, with over one million Trocaire boxes distributed to homes, schools, businesses and churches throughout the country.
The launch coincides with the coming into force of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international instrument banning the use of child soldiers.
Trocaire is calling on governments worldwide to ratify the Protocol, and has appealed to the Irish public for support in rescuing children who are victims of child exploitation.
About 250 million children between the ages of five and 14 work, according to Trocaire, with over 300,000 children forced to fight with armies and militia in more than 30 countries.