Afghanistan's Dark Secret: The Troubling Practice Of Hitting Children

Afghanistan is facing a humanitarian crisis, with millions of children exposed to violence, hazardous labour, and child marriage. The country has been plagued by conflict, economic collapse, and human rights violations, with devastating consequences for its young population.

In this context, the question of whether it is acceptable to hit children in Afghanistan is a complex one. Corporal punishment of children is considered normal by many Afghans, who view it as a necessary tool for parenting and discipline. However, there are signs that attitudes are changing, with some recognising the physical and psychological harm it causes.

The situation in Afghanistan underscores the urgent need to protect children's rights and ensure their safety and well-being, especially in times of crisis.

Child labour

Afghanistan is facing a child rights crisis. Millions of children are engaged in hazardous labour, with more than a third of boys and a quarter of girls between the ages of five and 17 working in dangerous conditions.

Children are working in brick kilns, carpet weaving, construction, mining, metal workshops, domestic work, street work, and agriculture. They are also being recruited into armed conflict by both state and non-state armed groups.

The humanitarian crisis following the Taliban takeover in 2021 has exacerbated the prevalence of child labour, with families increasingly taking desperate measures to survive. The COVID-19 pandemic, drought conditions, and worsening economic conditions have also contributed to the increase in child labour, child marriage, and child trafficking in the country.

The extreme poverty of Afghan families is a key factor driving children into hazardous labour. Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with high unemployment, illiteracy, and armed conflict contributing to chronic poverty.

The lack of adequate protection services, particularly in remote and warring communities, has also failed to prevent the exploitation of children. In addition, the Taliban's severe restrictions on female employment have contributed to the rise in child labour, as female-led households have been forced to fend for themselves.

The number of child labourers is only expected to grow as the economic and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan worsen. The United Nations estimates that 6 million Afghans are on the brink of starvation, and 28 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance.

Child marriage

In Afghanistan, child marriage is driven by a combination of cultural, economic, and social factors. Culturally, child marriage is rooted in gender discrimination, with girls being viewed as a source of economic value and domestic labour for their future households. It is also seen as a way to strengthen ties between families and settle disputes. Economically, child marriage is often a strategy for families to survive, as they may receive a dowry or reduce their financial burden by marrying off their daughters. Socially, child marriage is influenced by traditional and religious norms that dictate what is socially acceptable.

The prevalence of child marriage varies across different regions in Afghanistan. A 2018 study found that there was no significant variation between urban, semi-rural, and rural areas. However, there were significant disparities between different provinces, with the highest rates of child marriage found in Paktia (66%) and Badghis (55%).

The Afghan government has introduced laws to address child marriage, such as the Law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW) in 2009, which guarantees penalties for forced child marriage. However, the implementation of these laws has been inconsistent, and child marriage remains widespread.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has further exacerbated the issue of child marriage. The denial of access to education for girls beyond the sixth grade has left many families with no choice but to marry off their daughters. Additionally, the economic crisis and humanitarian crisis caused by the Taliban's policies have pushed more families into poverty, leading to an increase in child marriages.

To address child marriage in Afghanistan, it is essential to implement and enforce laws that prohibit the practice, promote gender equality, and improve access to education and economic opportunities for girls. It is also crucial to raise awareness about the negative impacts of child marriage on individuals and society.

Child casualties

Afghanistan has been ravaged by conflict for decades, and the country's children have been among the worst affected. The Soviet invasion in 1979 and the subsequent occupation resulted in one of the biggest humanitarian crises in modern history, with millions of Afghans fleeing the country or becoming internally displaced. The conflict also saw the widespread deployment of landmines shaped as toys, which led to countless child casualties.

The decades of war have had a devastating impact on the mental and physical health of Afghan children. A 2022 report by Save the Children warned that Afghanistan was on the brink of a mental health catastrophe, with children bearing the brunt of the worsening crisis. Many go to bed hungry, drop out of school to support their families, and have lost loved ones due to a lack of healthcare. According to UNICEF, children in Afghanistan are exposed to extreme situations of violence and abuse due to ongoing fighting, displacement, a poor economy, and harmful social norms and practices.

The increased intensity of conflict in recent years has resulted in a sharp rise in child casualties. Between 2016 and 2020, nearly 1,600 children were killed or injured in Afghanistan, with 40% of civilian airstrike casualties being children. The withdrawal of US-led forces and the Taliban offensive in 2021 led to a further escalation of violence, with a record number of children killed or wounded in the first half of that year. Overall, it is estimated that almost 33,000 children have been killed or maimed in Afghanistan in the past 20 years, an average of one child every five hours.

In addition to direct casualties from the conflict, children in Afghanistan also face other threats to their health and well-being. Malnutrition, disease, hazardous labour practices, and contact with landmines are prevalent issues. UNICEF estimates that over 15 million children in Afghanistan need urgent humanitarian assistance to protect themselves from hunger and disease. The disruption of the country's educational system due to conflict has also had a significant impact, with many children being denied access to schooling beyond the sixth grade.

The situation for children in Afghanistan remains dire, and the ongoing conflict continues to claim young lives and inflict physical and psychological wounds. The international community's efforts to provide humanitarian aid and support are crucial in mitigating the impact of the crisis on this vulnerable population.

Child discipline

In Afghanistan, three-fourths of children between the ages of two and fourteen experience violent discipline at home. This is often justified as a necessary form of discipline or a way to "teach them a lesson". For example, Farhad, a ten-year-old boy from Kabul, is frequently beaten by his father as punishment for breaking rules or not earning enough money for the family. Farhad's father denies doing anything wrong, stating that he beats his children to prevent them from becoming "bad people".

The acceptance of corporal punishment as a form of discipline is deeply ingrained in Afghan culture. Nearly all Afghan women (90%) believe that a husband is justified in beating his wife, which normalises violence within the family unit. Additionally, harmful social norms and practices expose children to extreme situations of violence and abuse, including early marriage, honour killings, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.

While physical discipline may be commonplace, it is important to note that it has severe negative consequences on children's mental health and well-being. Afghanistan is facing a mental health crisis, with only one in four children receiving the treatment they need. Children are under immense emotional and psychological pressure due to the country's economic crisis and decades of conflict. They often go to bed hungry, drop out of school to work, and have lost loved ones due to a lack of healthcare. As a result, many children exhibit concerning behaviours such as uncontrollable crying, nightmares, aggressiveness, and self-harm.

To address this issue, organisations like UNICEF and Save the Children are working to strengthen child protection systems and transform social norms. They are engaging with community leaders, government officials, and civil society to protect children from practices like child marriage, violent corporal punishment, domestic abuse, and child labour. These efforts aim to reduce the use of physical discipline and create safer environments for children to thrive.

Child protection

Afghanistan is facing one of the most severe humanitarian crises in the world. Decades of conflict, economic collapse, climate disasters, and human rights violations have taken a toll on the country's children. They are exposed to extreme situations of violence and abuse due to ongoing fighting, displacement, a poor economy, and harmful social norms and practices.

UNICEF and Save the Children have been working in Afghanistan for several decades, providing support to vulnerable children and advocating for their rights. Here are some of the key areas of focus for child protection in Afghanistan:

• Addressing Child Labour and Hazardous Work Practices: Millions of children in Afghanistan are engaged in hazardous labour, often working in dangerous conditions in fields, streets, and mines. UNICEF is working to prevent children from being forced into hazardous labour and to provide them with access to education and protection.
• Preventing Child Marriage: Child marriages are illegal in Afghanistan, but they remain widespread, with one-third of girls marrying before turning 18. UNICEF works with religious and community leaders to address the root causes of child marriage, such as gender discrimination and economic survival. They also provide support to married girls, ensuring their access to education and protection from domestic abuse.
• Protecting Children from Violence and Abuse: Afghan children face violence and abuse in various forms, including beatings, honour killings, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. UNICEF works to strengthen the child protection system and transform social norms to protect children from violent discipline and abuse. They also provide psychosocial support to help children heal from trauma.
• Preventing Recruitment into Armed Conflict: The risk of children being recruited into government security forces and armed groups is high due to poverty, displacement, and conflict. UNICEF works closely with the United Nations and the Afghan government to monitor and prevent the recruitment of underage children. They also provide support and reintegration services for children who have been recruited.
• Ensuring Access to Education: The Taliban's ban on girls' education has deprived them of their fundamental rights and contributed to the country's hunger crisis. Save the Children provides education and protection services to children, ensuring their access to learning and a sense of normalcy.
• Meeting Basic Needs: The economic crisis and consecutive droughts have left millions of children without access to food, water, and healthcare. Humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and Save the Children provide life-saving support, including nutrition, health services, and clean water, to help meet the basic needs of vulnerable children.
• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: The conflict and economic crisis have taken a toll on children's mental health, with increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and negative feelings. Save the Children provides mental health and psychosocial support through counselling sessions and youth groups, helping children build resilience and cope with the challenges they face.

The situation in Afghanistan remains dire, and the need for child protection services is urgent. Humanitarian organizations are working tirelessly to provide support and protect the rights of vulnerable children, but the long-term stability and development of the country are crucial to ensuring the well-being and safety of Afghanistan's youth.

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