The Lion Cubs Of Afghanistan: Parenting Boys In A Land Of Traditions And Turmoil

Afghanistan has been identified as the worst place in the world to be born a girl, with girls and women facing severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms. In this context, some Afghan parents have resorted to raising their daughters as sons, a practice known as bacha posh. This tradition allows girls to enjoy freedoms typically denied to them in Afghanistan's patriarchal society, such as accessing education and working outside the home. However, it is important to note that this practice also has negative consequences, with girls facing challenges and psychological damage when expected to revert to their biological gender at puberty. While some women who were raised as bacha posh report increased confidence and independence, others have experienced harassment, humiliation, and separation from their communities.

Corporal punishment: Afghan parents are increasingly recognising the physical and psychological harm inflicted on children by violence

Corporal punishment in Afghanistan

Corporal punishment is a common form of discipline in Afghanistan, with many parents believing it to be a good way to bring up their children. However, this attitude is slowly changing, with Afghan parents increasingly recognising the physical and psychological harm inflicted on children by violence.

Prevalence of corporal punishment

Corporal punishment is highly prevalent in Afghanistan, with around 60% of children aged 2-14 regularly suffering physical punishment by their parents or other caregivers. In some cases, almost all students report being physically punished by school staff. Both boys and girls are at risk of being physically punished, with no significant difference in prevalence between genders. Children with disabilities are more likely to be physically punished than those without.

Forms of corporal punishment

Corporal punishment can take many forms, including slapping, kicking, punching, beating with sticks or other objects, shaking, throwing, burning, or forcing children into uncomfortable positions. It can also include non-physical forms of punishment such as belittling, humiliating, or threatening the child.

Harmful effects of corporal punishment

Corporal punishment has been linked to a range of negative outcomes for children, including physical and mental health issues, impaired cognitive and socio-emotional development, poor educational outcomes, and increased aggression. It can also lead to indirect physical harm due to overloaded biological systems and increased acceptance of other forms of violence. There is some evidence of a dose-response relationship, with more frequent corporal punishment resulting in more severe outcomes.

Addressing corporal punishment

The elimination of corporal punishment is a global priority, with several targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development calling for an end to all forms of violence against children. Prevention and response strategies include law reform, changing harmful norms around child-rearing and punishment, parent and caregiver support, and school-based programming. By addressing these issues, it is possible to reduce the prevalence of corporal punishment and promote more positive forms of discipline.

Child labour: Children are often expected to work and provide for their families, which can prevent them from receiving an education

Child labour is a pressing issue in Afghanistan, with an estimated 20% of children expected to work to provide for themselves and their families. This phenomenon is driven by the country's extreme poverty, cultural practices, and lack of access to education and essential resources. The problem has been exacerbated by the Taliban takeover, the COVID-19 pandemic, drought conditions, and worsening economic conditions, leading to an increase in child labour, child marriage, and child trafficking.

Afghan children engage in various forms of labour, including street vending, water carrying, cardboard collecting, shoe polishing, and domestic service, as well as working in industries such as brick-making, carpet weaving, construction, mining, and farming. They often work long hours with little to no pay, facing hazardous conditions that can lead to illnesses, injuries, or even death. The work interferes with their education, causing many to leave school prematurely or juggle both work and studies.

The Afghan government has ratified international conventions against child labour and established laws and regulations to address the issue. However, enforcement of these laws remains a challenge due to budgetary constraints, lack of capacity, and coordination issues across various ministries. Social support programs are also inadequate, and the education system lacks the necessary infrastructure.

To combat child labour effectively, it is essential to address the underlying causes. This includes improving access to education, providing social protection, and creating more job opportunities for adults. Developed nations can play a crucial role in building a stable government and economy in Afghanistan, which will ultimately help reduce the prevalence of child labour. Additionally, strict enforcement of child labour laws, regular workplace inspections, and strong penalties for violations are necessary to deter employers from exploiting child labour.

Eradicating child labour in Afghanistan is a complex task due to the country's deep-rooted socio-economic issues and political instability. However, by addressing the root causes, improving coordination between government entities, and increasing international support, it is possible to make significant strides in protecting Afghan children from hazardous work and ensuring their right to education.

Child marriage: Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with almost 40% of young women being married before the age of 18

Afghanistan has one of the highest rates of child marriage in the world, with almost 40% of young women being married before the age of 18. The practice is illegal, but it is still widespread, especially in rural areas and along the borders with Pakistan. Child marriages are often aimed at strengthening ties with rival families and tribes, settling debts, or creating friendships with rival families. Poor families may also sell their daughters for large dowries from wealthy people, and the husbands are usually much older.

The decision to marry off a child is typically made by men, with wives, mothers, sisters, and the girls themselves having little to no say in the matter. The practice is driven by gender inequality and the belief that girls are inferior to boys. It is also influenced by traditional and societal attitudes, religious norms, and poverty.

Child marriage has detrimental consequences for girls, including physical harm, as their bodies are often not developed enough for childbirth. It also inhibits their ability to obtain an education and work independently, leading to limited future employment opportunities. Girls who are married off are more likely to experience domestic violence, discrimination, abuse, and poor mental health. They are also at a higher risk of complications in pregnancy and childbirth, with the risk of dying from childbirth and pregnancy being twice as high for girls between 15 and 19 compared to older women.

To address this issue, Afghanistan has developed a National Action Plan to Eliminate Early and Child Marriage and launched a Girls' Education Policy. The country has also received support from UNICEF and UNFPA to raise awareness about the risks of child marriage and ensure universal civil registration by 2024. However, the implementation of these initiatives has been challenging due to the difficult economic situation and political instability in Afghanistan.

Education: Only 60% of Afghan children are sent to school, and girls are often forbidden from attending school after the sixth grade

Afghanistan's education system has been devastated by more than three decades of sustained conflict. For many of the country's children, completing primary school remains a distant dream – especially in rural areas and for girls. An estimated 3.7 million children are out of school in Afghanistan – 60% of them are girls.

The reasons for low girls' enrolment are insecurity and traditional norms and practices related to girls' and women's roles in society. Other reasons include a lack of female teachers, especially in rural schools. Only 16% of Afghanistan's schools are girls-only, and many of them lack proper sanitation facilities, which further hinders attendance. Certain sociocultural factors and traditional beliefs also undermine girls' education. Girls continue to marry very young – 17% before their 15th birthday.

In some parts of the country, a shortage of schools and insufficient transportation are the main obstacles to education – a long walk to school means fewer children go. Geographical barriers, especially in mountainous areas, also make it hard for children to reach the classroom. Once children do make it, they often receive a lower quality of education because only 48% of their teachers have the minimum academic qualifications (equivalent to an Associate Degree).

The socio-political and humanitarian crises that Afghanistan faces critically affect a fragile education system. Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides exacerbate the situation for all children. These factors raise parental concerns about safety and can prevent them from sending their children to school.

Child malnutrition: Statistics show that 35% of newborns are underweight, and 87% of deliveries take place at home without proper medical assistance

Afghanistan has one of the world's highest rates of child malnutrition. UNICEF reports that 41% of children under five in the country suffer from stunting, a sign of chronic undernutrition. The rate of wasting, the extreme manifestation of severe acute malnutrition, is also extremely high at 9.5%.

The situation is critical, with 35% of newborns underweight and 87% of deliveries taking place at home without proper medical assistance. This is due in part to the highly patriarchal nature of Afghan society, which often restricts women from leaving the home, even to give birth in a hospital. As a result, Afghanistan has one of the world's lowest life expectancies at birth and the highest infant mortality rates.

The problem is further exacerbated by a lack of access to healthcare facilities, with only a limited number of hospitals available in the country. Additionally, the existing medical infrastructure is hindered by a lack of proper training and equipment.

The consequences of malnutrition are devastating, with undernourished children more likely to contract diseases, less likely to receive basic healthcare, and perform poorly in school. Malnutrition also perpetuates poverty, as stunted children are less likely to be productive and ready to learn.

The recent Taliban takeover has further worsened the situation, causing a surge in malnutrition rates. The economy has collapsed, plunging millions into poverty and making it difficult for parents to provide for their families. The healthcare system, which is heavily aid-dependent, is on the brink of collapse, with many development agencies pulling out and international sanctions cutting off funding.

The crisis has led to an increase in the number of children being admitted to hospitals with severe acute malnutrition. According to UNICEF, 1.1 million children under five in Afghanistan are expected to suffer from severe acute malnutrition this year, nearly double the number in 2018.

To address the issue, humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children are providing treatment for children with acute malnutrition and supporting pregnant and lactating women. However, the situation remains dire, and without urgent action, tens of thousands of children are at risk of starving to death.

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