A CBC documentary about child labour in India has been honoured with a prestigious international award.

Dirty Work was named a Story of the Year by the Foreign Press Association in London. The 17th annual media awards were presented at a ceremony on Tuesday.

Promoting "excellence in journalism," the FPA awards mostly recognize British journalists, but entries are also accepted from media organizations around the world.

Dirty Work, written and reported by Nahlah Ayed, produced by Tracy Seeley and shot by Richard Devey, tells the story of activists who risk their lives raiding factories, farms and mines to rescue children working in servitude — and what happens to the children afterward.

"The standard of entries is high and the competition intense," the FPA says on its website, adding that entries go through two rounds of judging.

CBC was one of only three news organizations outside Britain to win an award. Al-Jazeera and the New Yorker were the others.

"It is a great honour for CBC News to be recognized by the Foreign Press Association," Jennifer McGuire, CBC News general manager and editor in chief, said Wednesday.

"One of the obligations of journalism is to give voice to the voiceless and shed light where others cannot see. This story of child labour was an mportant story to share. It was told bravely and respectfully, giving us an experiential view which reinforced that the children at the heart of it deserve much better."

Ayed, speaking on behalf of the team, said, "We thank the CBC for continuing this kind of journalism despite limited resources. The project also involved support of many people in London and Toronto, notably Lily Martin of the CBC London bureau."

Awards were also handed out for Story of the Year in categories including Environment, Arts & Culture, Science, and Sports and Travel, among others. See the full list of winners.