The Iraqi Ministry of Planning announced today, Saturday, that 1.1 million Iraqi children are deprived of their fundamental rights, including education, health, and recreation, due to their early entry into the workforce.
“Al-Sumaria News” website cited Abd al-Zahra al-Hindawi, the spokesperson for the ministry, stating, “Just like their counterparts worldwide, Iraqi children deserve to experience their childhood and enjoy an atmosphere of play and education, rather than being ushered into job sectors that overshadow their rights, deepening deprivation levels, particularly among the impoverished communities.” Al-Hindawi highlighted that while the child labor rate in Iraq, at 7%, is considered low, it still means that 1.1 million children are being denied their rights.
He further noted that various studies have identified gender-based discrimination among children, particularly in education and recreational aspects, especially in rural areas. The responsibility of safeguarding them falls both on the state and the community. Al-Hindawi emphasized that children should enjoy their childhood and that their rights should not only be preserved in education and health but also be protected from the violence they face, be it from their families, educational institutions, or the community.
Recently, the UN mission in Iraq (UNAMI) announced that over 9,000 children have been killed or maimed in Iraq since 2008, urging the activation of international laws that protect children in conflict and war zones. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) had previously warned about the impacts of rising poverty rates on Iraqi children, urging efforts to create a holistic environment to protect them in Iraq. Children constitute the majority of approximately 4.5 million Iraqis at risk of poverty due to conflict repercussions.
