The financial crisis threatens to push more children, especially girls, into child labor, the UN International Labor Organization (ILO) said in a recent report.

Despite falling numbers of children involved in child labor worldwide, the current economic turmoil could roll back those gains, according to the new study, entitled "Girls a Chance: Tackling child labor, a key to the future," to be issued on the World Day Against Child Labor.

Most recent estimates have indicated that over 100 million girls are involved in child labor, with many exposed to its worst forms, according to the report.

It also noted that the danger of girls being forced into labor is linked to evidence that families in many nations prefer boys when making decisions on children's education.

"Protecting girls and all children from child labor calls for integrated responses that include jobs for parents, and social protection measures that help them to keep both girls and boys in school," said ILO Director-General Juan Somavia.

"Access to basic education and training for girls and boys must also be part of the solutions for the future," said Samavia.

Events will be held in some 50 countries worldwide to celebrate the World Day Against Child Labor on June 12.