Reflecting the severity of crises endured by hundreds of thousands of children in Iraq, the violence against them within families and communities has been on the rise. Abdul Zahra Al-Hindawi, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Planning, affirmed on Thursday that children represent nearly 40% of the population. This segment of society has been heavily impacted by the country’s recent challenges, including terrorism, epidemics, and economic crises.
the violence they face in society. Al-Hindawi believes that poverty is the main driver pushing families to send their children to work.
Speaking on the role of the parliament, Dania Al-Shamri, head of the Parliamentary Committee for Women, Family, and Childhood, stressed the focus on laws that protect children, especially against labor due to economic factors. She added that the parliament approved 30,000 Dinars for children in families under social care, which should incentivize families to prioritize their education.
Experts caution that the increasing rate of child labor and violence against them will lead to a series of security, developmental, and social crises. Many children deprived of education, proper family care, and health are left vulnerable to various forms of exploitation. Some get entangled in organized crime, terrorism, prostitution, human organ trade, theft, and begging. There’s a pressing demand for robust laws prohibiting child labor and criminalizing violence against them in all forms.
Iraqi sociologist Nawal Al-Ibrahim, in a conversation with Sky News Arabia, emphasized that while acknowledging the problems is essential, actionable solutions and stringent penalties against those exploiting, hurting, or killing children are equally critical. She points out the alarming number of children in the labor market, which might be higher than reported due to the prevalence and concealment of this issue. She suggests regular inspection rounds to monitor child labor spots and impose deterrent penalties like imprisonment, fines, and shutdowns against those employing them. Moreover, parents pushing their children into work instead of providing a suitable environment for them to grow and study should be held accountable.
What’s even more concerning is the growing incidence of violence against children at home, schools, communities, and workplaces. They are often subjected to heavy and hazardous work, which doesn’t suit their physical capacities and young age. There’s an urgent need to enact clear and deterrent laws to protect children’s rights and penalize those who exploit or harm them.
