OCHA on World Day Against Child Labor: 19% of Afghan children engaged in hard labour

On the World Day Against Child Labor, alarming new reports have shed light on the dire situation facing children in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported yesterday.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) revealed that a staggering 19% of children in the country are engaged in hard labor, a concerning statistic that highlights the urgent need for action.

In a press release issued on June 12th, OCHA expressed deep concern over the impact of child labor on the health and future of Afghanistan’s youngest citizens. “We must collaborate to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment,” the agency stated, underscoring the importance of addressing this critical issue.

The crisis facing Afghan children extends beyond the exploitation of their labor. A recent report by the World Food Program found that 3.2 million children in the country are suffering from malnutrition, a devastating consequence of the ongoing poverty and instability that has plagued the nation.

Experts believe that children are bearing the brunt of these challenges, lacking the necessary resilience to fight diseases and succumbing to the effects of poor nutrition and a lack of access to basic resources. Years of war have further exacerbated the problem, contributing to the rise of child labor in Afghanistan.

As the international community commemorates the World Day Against Child Labor, the situation in Afghanistan serves as a poignant reminder of the work that remains to be done to protect the rights and wellbeing of children around the globe.

According to a UNICEF report, there are over 160 million children worldwide engaged in work labour.