Afghanistan Through Young Eyes: Unveiling A Different Perspective

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Asia, bordering Iran, Pakistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China. It is a country of contrasts, with towering mountains and dry deserts, fertile valleys, and rich natural resources. The country has a long and tumultuous history, having been invaded and occupied by various empires and more recently, embroiled in decades of war and conflict.

Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, and this poverty is reflected in the lives of Afghan children. They face issues such as extreme poverty, violence, child mortality, malnutrition, forced marriages, and a lack of access to education. Despite these challenges, Afghanistan is also a country of resilience and cultural richness, with a diverse population speaking multiple languages and practicing a variety of traditions.

The Taliban's impact on children's rights

Afghanistan has been deemed the "worst place to be born in the world" by UNICEF, with children facing extreme poverty, violence, child mortality, malnutrition, forced marriages, and sexual abuse. The Taliban's impact on children's rights has been significant, and their abusive educational policies and recruitment of child soldiers have drawn strong international condemnation.

The Taliban's educational policies have harmed both girls and boys. They have banned girls from secondary and higher education, and prohibited women from teaching boys, resulting in boys being taught by unqualified teachers or having no teachers at all. Corporal punishment has become more common, and the curriculum has been changed to remove important subjects like arts, sports, English, and civic education. These changes have led to increased fears about attending school, falling attendance, and a loss of hope for the future.

The Taliban have also been accused of using children as young as 6 as fighters, suicide bombers, and for planting and detonating improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They have indoctrinated children and sent them to fight, often resulting in their deaths. The Taliban's code of conduct states that "boys without beards" are not allowed in military centers, but the UN has verified hundreds of cases of child recruitment in recent years.

The impact of the Taliban's policies on children's rights has been devastating, with long-term consequences for Afghanistan's future. Their actions have violated international law and Afghanistan's obligations under conventions such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

To address these issues, concerned governments, UN agencies, and international organizations have advocated for several measures. These include ending the ban on girls' education, rehiring female teachers, reforming the curriculum to meet international standards, and ending corporal punishment. Additionally, there have been calls to hold individual Taliban commanders accountable for the use of child soldiers, as it violates international law and is considered a war crime.

The situation in Afghanistan remains critical, and the international community's response is crucial in protecting the rights of Afghan children and ensuring their access to quality education.

Child labour and its consequences

Afghanistan has been identified as the "worst place to be born in the world" by UNICEF. Afghan children are subjected to extreme poverty, violence, child mortality, malnutrition, forced marriages, and sexual abuse. The country is also the second poorest in the world, with almost half of its population living below the poverty line.

Child labour is a pressing issue in Afghanistan, with an estimated 160 million children worldwide being subjected to it. In Afghanistan, children are often forced into labour due to their families' financial challenges and uncertainty, caused by poverty, illness, or job loss. This results in extreme bodily and mental harm, slavery, sexual or economic exploitation, and deprives children of their fundamental rights to education and healthcare.

Children in Afghanistan are exposed to hazardous working conditions, physical and mental abuse, and long hours of labour, which can lead to injuries, illnesses, developmental issues, and even death. They work in various sectors, including carpet weaving, brick-making, metalworking, mining, and agriculture. The extreme poverty of Afghan families drives many children into such labour, and the lack of awareness about children's rights further perpetuates the issue.

The consequences of child labour in Afghanistan are dire and far-reaching, impacting the child, society, and the nation as a whole. Children face health risks, educational deprivation, and stunted development, while society struggles with undermining human rights, poverty, inequality, and social disintegration. The nation also faces economic implications, loss of human capital, and increased social welfare burdens.

To address child labour in Afghanistan, it is crucial to promote and improve access to quality education, raise awareness about the issue, and implement fair trade practices and government policies against child labour. Additionally, it is essential to work towards paying living wages to address poverty, a significant driver of the problem.

Child mortality and malnutrition

Afghanistan has one of the world's highest rates of stunting in children under five, at 41%. The rate of wasting, the extreme manifestation of severe acute malnutrition, is also extremely high at 9.5%. The country has a high mortality rate among under-fives, with an estimated 167 infants dying of preventable diseases every day.

The situation is exacerbated by a lack of access to healthcare and medicine, which makes illnesses such as pneumonia and measles deadly. The World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that Afghanistan is at its highest risk of famine in a quarter of a century, with over half of its population facing acute food insecurity.

The impact of malnutrition is felt most by children under five and pregnant or lactating mothers. According to a nurse from Rustaq district in Takhar, large single-income households are typically the worst hit by malnutrition. She added that boys are often prioritised over girls when it comes to food distribution within families.

The geography of hunger in Afghanistan is varied, with rural and remote areas tending to be more vulnerable due to higher poverty rates, difficult logistics, and limited access to medical facilities. However, the impact of malnutrition is also felt in urban areas due to the loss of income and an influx of internally displaced persons.

The standard of living in Afghanistan has worsened since the Taliban takeover in August 2021, with diminishing aid budgets and reduced rations from the WFP further fuelling the malnutrition crisis. The economic and healthcare crisis, coupled with discriminatory policies by the Taliban, risk reversing the slow reduction in neonatal and child mortality rates achieved over the past two decades.

Children's access to education

Afghanistan has been devastated by over three decades of conflict, and this has had a huge impact on children's access to education. UNICEF has identified Afghanistan as the "worst place to be born in the world", with children facing daily violence and extreme poverty.

Enrolment

Around 60% of Afghan children are sent to school, but in the poorest and most remote areas, enrolment levels vary and girls often lack equal access. An estimated 3.7 million children are out of school in Afghanistan, 60% of whom are girls. In some parts of the country, a lack of schools and poor transportation are the main obstacles to education. Geographical barriers, especially in mountainous areas, also make it difficult for children to reach classrooms.

Socio-cultural Factors

Socio-cultural factors and traditional beliefs also hinder girls' education. Girls in Afghanistan continue to marry very young, with 17% marrying before their 15th birthday. Insecurity and traditional norms and practices related to girls' and women's roles in society are also reasons for low girls' enrolment. Only 16% of Afghanistan's schools are girls-only, and many lack proper sanitation facilities.

Economic Factors

Around 20% of children in Afghanistan are expected to work to provide for themselves and their families. The money earned by parents is often not enough to feed the family, and due to cultural practices, mothers rarely seek employment outside the home. Therefore, the family relies on the economic contribution of the child.

Political Factors

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has also impacted children's access to education. Secondary schools were reopened, but only for boys and with male teachers. It was stated that this was a temporary measure until a policy to ensure schools are safe for girls could be developed, but it is unclear when this will be implemented.

Quality of Education

The quality of education in Afghanistan is also a concern. Only 48% of teachers have the minimum academic qualifications, and in some areas, there is a shortage of schools and teachers.

Humanitarian Crisis

The socio-political and humanitarian crises in Afghanistan also affect the education system. Natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and landslides can prevent parents from sending their children to school due to safety concerns.

Community-based Education

To address the challenges of access to education, community-based education has been introduced. This is a network of classes, often held in homes, that allow children, particularly girls, to access education in communities far from government schools. However, these classes are solely funded by donors and are not consistently connected to the government school system.

Despite the challenges, there has been some progress in raising enrolment, and organisations like UNICEF continue to work towards increasing access to education for vulnerable children.

Children's safety and security

Afghanistan has been deemed the "worst place to be born in the world" by UNICEF, with children facing violence, poverty, child mortality, malnutrition, forced marriages, and sexual abuse. The country's ongoing conflict, displacement, poor economy, and harmful social norms and practices pose significant risks to children's safety and security. Here are some key aspects of children's safety and security in Afghanistan:

Impact of Conflict and Displacement

Afghanistan has been plagued by decades of violent conflict, resulting in widespread displacement. Children are exposed to extreme situations of violence and abuse due to the fighting, with an alarming rise in child casualties. The conflict also disrupts communities and increases the risk of children being recruited into armed groups. Additionally, displacement often leads to the victimization of children through early marriage and hazardous labour practices.

Healthcare and Malnutrition

The healthcare system in Afghanistan is inadequate, with limited access to hospitals and properly trained medical professionals. As a result, many women give birth at home without proper medical assistance, contributing to a high maternal mortality rate. Malnutrition is also prevalent, with 35% of newborns being underweight. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation further exacerbates health issues, placing children at risk of contagious diseases.

Education and Child Labour

Education in Afghanistan is hindered by a lack of infrastructure and security concerns. While the abolition of the Taliban allowed children to return to school, ensuring the safety of students and guaranteeing their right to education remains a challenge. Additionally, the economic situation often forces children to work to support their families, depriving them of an education. Child labour is common, with children engaging in dangerous and exploitative work that puts them at risk of beatings, harassment, and exposure to the virus during the pandemic.

Gender-Based Violence and Child Marriage

Afghan girls face significant risks, including early marriage, honour killings, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. Boys also face many of these risks, along with military recruitment and sexual exploitation. Child marriages are illegal but widespread, with one-third of Afghan girls marrying before the age of 18. Cultural norms and economic survival strategies contribute to this practice, which has serious consequences for the health and well-being of young girls.

Landmines and Explosives

Afghanistan is littered with unexploded landmines due to years of war, posing a significant threat to children's safety. Many children are killed or injured by stepping on landmines while herding animals or playing in unsafe areas.

Legal Protection and Social Norms

Existing protection services in Afghanistan are inadequate, particularly in remote and warring communities. There is a widespread failure to promote and protect children's rights, and the legal system often falls short of upholding these rights. Social norms, such as the acceptance of violent discipline and the belief in justifying honour killings, further contribute to the challenges of protecting children.

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