**The Unspoken Victims: Afghanistan's War-Torn Children**

Afghanistan is facing a widespread humanitarian crisis, with large numbers of people forced from their homes. The country is suffering from emergency levels of food insecurity, conflict, displacement, and a lack of access to clean water and sanitation. Children make up more than half of the population in need of emergency humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan. They face numerous rights violations, including forced marriage, corporal punishment, and hazardous working conditions, and a lack of access to education. The ongoing conflict and instability have also taken a toll on the mental health of Afghan children, with many experiencing psychological distress due to the constant threat of violence and the loss of family members.

Malnutrition and disease

Afghanistan is facing a widespread humanitarian crisis, with 18.4 million people in need of emergency humanitarian assistance—52% of whom are children. The country is struggling with economic collapse, climate disasters, and human rights violations, and nearly two-thirds of the population is facing hunger and disease.

Malnutrition is a pressing issue in Afghanistan, with 92% of the population facing some level of food insecurity. In 2021, 14 million Afghans were deficient in food supplies, and the country was ranked 103rd out of 116 nations on the Global Hunger Index, indicating a 'serious' level of hunger. The situation has been exacerbated by the Taliban takeover, which has further deteriorated the economy and pushed millions to the brink of starvation.

The impact of malnutrition is devastating, stunting children's physical and cognitive development and perpetuating poverty. Undernourished children are more susceptible to diseases and have a higher risk of mortality. In Afghanistan, malnutrition is linked to unsanitary household environments, food insecurity, and lack of access to proper healthcare.

The rates of acute malnutrition among children under five in Afghanistan are alarming, with an estimated two million children suffering from it. Among them, 600,000 children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, the most dangerous form of undernutrition. This makes Afghanistan one of the countries with the highest numbers of children under five suffering from severe acute malnutrition, alongside Yemen and South Sudan.

The issue of malnutrition is further compounded by limited access to clean water and sanitation, which places millions of children at risk of contracting diarrhoea, typhoid, polio, and other contagious diseases. Additionally, improper feeding habits, such as a lack of exclusive breastfeeding and a lack of fruits and vegetables in the diet, contribute to the problem.

The consequences of malnutrition are severe, with dozens of children under five dying from starvation every week. Those who survive face long-term physical and cognitive impairments, and their economic productivity as adults is severely impaired.

To address the malnutrition crisis, humanitarian organizations like UNICEF and local governments have implemented various initiatives. These include nutritional programs, community-based programming, and the distribution of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food for the treatment of severe acute malnutrition. However, these efforts are often hindered by funding shortages and challenges in accessing vulnerable communities.

The situation in Afghanistan demands urgent attention to prevent further loss of life among children. Addressing malnutrition requires a multi-faceted approach, including resuming humanitarian aid, removing international sanctions, improving access to food and healthcare, promoting nutritional awareness, and providing essential supplies to vulnerable communities.

Lack of education

Afghanistan's education system has been devastated by more than three decades of sustained conflict. The war has inflicted invisible wounds on the country's children, with two-thirds of Afghans suffering from mental health problems.

The conflict has resulted in a "lost generation", with an entire generation of Afghan children growing up without opportunities to learn. As many as 3.7 million children are currently out of school, 60% of whom are girls. The low proportion of female teachers remains a major hindrance to girls' enrolment and retention. In some parts of the country, a shortage of schools and insufficient transportation are the main obstacles to education. Geographical barriers, especially in mountainous areas, also make it hard for children to reach the classroom.

The conflict has also led to a lack of state investment in education. The curriculum in most madrassas (religious schools) remains a blend of archaic theological and Islamic teaching. The Taliban's previous rule from 1996 to 2001 banned almost all education for girls and women.

The current humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has forced large numbers of people from their homes. Families are building makeshift shelters, with little access to even the most basic supplies. Children make up more than half of the population in need of emergency humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has also had a detrimental impact on boys' education in the country. The Taliban effectively banned women from most employment, including teaching roles. This has caused major disruption to the education of many schoolboys who were previously taught by female teachers. The Taliban has also prohibited girls and women from secondary school and higher education.

Child labour

Afghanistan is facing a widespread humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and in need of emergency humanitarian assistance. Children make up more than half of the population in need of aid, with an estimated 15 million children requiring urgent support.

The ongoing conflict, displacement, poor economy, and harmful social norms and practices have exposed Afghan children to extreme situations of violence and abuse. The increased number and frequency of conflict-related incidents have caused an alarming rise in child casualties.

The extreme poverty of Afghan families is a significant factor driving children into hazardous labour. The humanitarian crisis following the Taliban takeover in 2021, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, drought conditions, and worsening economic conditions, has exacerbated the prevalence of child labour.

The Taliban has actively recruited and used children as part of their security forces, and there are reports of children being subjected to commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour in brick-making and carpet-weaving industries.

The lack of reliable birth records and high poverty rates make it challenging to prevent children from being enlisted in government security forces and armed groups. Internal displacement, forced migration, and ongoing conflict further increase the risk of child recruitment.

The Afghan government and humanitarian organisations are working to address child labour and protect children's rights. However, existing protection services are inadequate, especially in remote and warring communities, and there is a widespread failure to promote and protect children's rights.

Child marriage

Afghanistan is facing a widespread humanitarian crisis, with large numbers of people forced from their homes and basic supplies scarce. Children make up over half of the population in need of emergency humanitarian assistance in the country.

Factors such as gender dynamics, family structure, and cultural, political, and economic perceptions all play a role in determining if a girl is married at a young age. Poverty is a common factor, with parents receiving a dowry from the groom at the time of marriage. Child marriage perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as child brides have limited future employment opportunities.

In Afghanistan, there are inconsistencies between international laws and religious laws regarding the minimum age of marriage. While the legal age of marriage is 16 for girls and 18 for boys, regional customs and Sharia law take precedence over national law. According to Sharia law, adulthood and sanity of both parties are required for marriage. In the case of non-adulthood, the guardianship of the father or grandfather is required.

The Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 has increased poverty and desperation, with over half the population suffering from food insecurity and child marriages on the rise. The Taliban has restricted girls' access to education and employment, further exacerbating the problem of child marriage.

To address child marriage in Afghanistan, there is a need for sustained, urgent pressure from the international community on the Taliban to reopen schools and improve access to education for girls. Additionally, efforts should be made to educate communities about the harmful impacts of child marriage and to strengthen legal frameworks to prevent and eliminate the practice.

Mental health

Afghanistan has been at war since 1978, and the violence experienced by its people has inflicted deep traumatic wounds. Mental health issues are prevalent among children in Afghanistan, with a 2018 cross-sectional survey revealing that 71% of children had experienced physical violence in the past year. The constant exposure to combat means that many children will have known people who have died or been injured, and children themselves can become perpetrators of violence. The cycle of trauma continues as children grow up in conflict zones, and the consequences of the conflict could be detrimental to their future well-being.

The type and number of traumatic events that children experience are key factors that influence how mental health issues develop. The most common mental health disorders among children in Afghanistan include depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse. Studies have shown that the extent of war exposure is significantly associated with PTSD, and that the association between exposure to armed conflict and resulting psychological stress is mediated by daily stressors.

The mental health of children in Afghanistan is also affected by the existing socio-cultural context. Girls, in particular, face additional challenges due to social restriction, cultural barriers, low levels of family and community support, religious restrictions, and household factors. Furthermore, children in Afghanistan often face pressure to work before the age of 18 due to low socio-economic status, and they may be forced to work as the sole breadwinners for their families. This can create a sense of dishonor if they fail to live up to this responsibility.

The lack of freedom and choice that children in Afghanistan experience often stem from poverty, coupled with social and cultural pressures. The ongoing socioeconomic unrest, food insecurities, lack of essential resources, and decreased opportunities for literacy are creating a mental health catastrophe for the children of Afghanistan, making them increasingly vulnerable to mental health disorders.

To address these issues, it is recommended that non-medical professionals should be trained to provide basic counseling and psychotherapeutic interventions. Additionally, community programs should be developed to promote income generation, which will have direct beneficial effects on children and their families. Acceptance of Afghan refugees and initiatives to support reconnecting families are also crucial to mitigating the mental health crisis.

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