In Iraq, ensuring the safety and well-being of children, has become an increasingly urgent matter, mainly due to the impact of conflicts and displacement.
In this article, we will discuss the challenges facing children in Iraq and how we can support and protect them from living in a safe and secure environment for their growth and development.
What are the children’s challenges in Iraq?
Armed conflicts and displacement:
- These two factors impact the physical and psychological development of children. Armed conflicts and displacement disrupt education and force children to move from one environment to another and adapt to new communities under challenging conditions.
Child labor and exploitation:
- In Iraq, like many other countries, children suffer from child labor and exploitation. Additionally, contributing` factors exacerbate this issue, including poverty, displacement, and armed conflicts. Involving children in work at an early age restricts their access to education and proper development, keeping them trapped in a cycle of poverty with the potential for it to persist through future generations.
- For more information on child labor and its impact on children, you can read our article by clicking here.
Mental and social health:
- The emotional stress caused by armed conflicts and forced displacement places a significant burden on children's mental health, and these effects can show up for a long time.
- Reports indicate that many children have post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, it is crucial to increase awareness about children's mental health, provide them with the necessary care, help them integrate into society, return to school, and experience a normal childhood. Additionally, providing mental and social health services is crucial to reducing the long-lasting effects of wars and conflicts.
Early marriage:
- During crises, especially during conflicts and wars, girls are at risk of early marriage and become targets of violence due to their gender. This exposes them to various physical, psychological, and social challenges and risks.
- We must take these factors seriously to eliminate this problem. Additionally, we should consider the harmful" consequences of early marriage on education, health, and psychological growth.
- For more on child marriage, you can read our article by clicking here.
Providing civil documents for children in Iraq:
- Many children lost their right to obtain civil documents. This has negatively affected various aspects of their lives, such as their difficulty accessing education and healthcare services. It also increased the likelihood of child labor and left them with limited legal protection, making them vulnerable to rights violations.
- It's important to highlight that a crucial part of protecting children's rights is ensuring they have the proper documentation. This means recording their personal and legal details like their name, birthdate, nationality, and whether they're married. Without documentation, children could be at risk of becoming victims of human trafficking or getting involved in illegal work.
- For more information about the importance of civil documentation for children in Iraq, you can read our article by clicking here.
What is our role in protecting the children?
Teachers, employers, and parents play a significant role in caring for and nurturing children's development. You can follow these guidelines to reduce harmful risks for children and help them live in a safe and healthy environment for their growth and development.
Parents’ role:
Parents play a vital role in ensuring child protection and providing a safe and healthy environment for their growth and development.
- Advocate for education and motivate their children to seek for it.
- Monitor their children's behavior and look for signs of psychological or physical danger or indications that they may be considering child labor or early marriage.
- Maintain ongoing communication with their children and provide constant emotional and psychological support.
- Allocate sufficient time with them and engage in necessary activities to promote their mental and emotional growth.
- Raise awareness about the dangers of child labor and early marriage by attending workshops or educational lectures.
- Ensure the proper documentation of their children's births and secure the necessary civil documents.
Teachers’ role:
- Monitor students' behaviors and consistently verify their attendance at school.
- Establish motivations and recitational activities to encourage changes in the education system.
- Consult with parents and closely monitor children.
- Provide support for children with limited educational backgrounds and enhance the enjoyment of learning through the creation of innovative teaching approaches
- Address children's learning difficulties and meet their basic needs.
- Educate children about the dangers of child labor and how to protect themselves from harm.
- Maintain continuous communication with parents to raise awareness about the harmful effects of child labor and early marriage and collaborate with community leaders to end these issues.
Employers’ role:
- Offer guidance on legal matters and encourage the government to support International Labor Organization agreements concerning child labor.
- Encourage members of organizations not to employ children and raise awareness about employment policies, children's rights, and Iraqi labor laws.
- Collaborate on projects with non-governmental organizations to prevent child labor in informal economic sectors.
Article sources:
- ILO Convention No. 138 concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
- ILO Convention No. 182 concerning the Worst Forms of Child Labour.
- Six steps asked to be taken to end violence against children—UN article.
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