Iraq’s Lost Children

Editors » 07 May 2008 » In Children, Features, Iraq, Society And Economy, Women and Children »

The new reality in war-ravaged Iraq left thousands of children playing the roles of their fathers in putting bread on the table.

“These children are also much more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by adults - particularly in areas where conflict has undermined the rule of law.”

But for many children the problem goes far beyond being forced out of school and into the labour market.

“In the beginning I liked my new duty [in the carpentry factor] until the manager started to beat and sexually harass me,” said Saleh, 11.

Scared and terrified he did not say a word to his mum.

Source: Iraq’s Lost Children : By Afif Sarhan, Islam OnLine Correspondent

BAGHDAD — For nations the young generation always holds the hope for a better future but with thousands of its children forced out of school into the labour market to make ends meet, Iraq seems to be an exception.

“My mother told me that I had to leave school and even knowing there isn’t choice, I tried to convince by showing my good marks in math and science but it just made her angrier,” says Waleed Saleh, 11.

One year ago his father, a waiter, was killed in a suicide attack on his restaurant in downtown Baghdad.

Saleh, the elder of his four brothers, had to find a job to help support the family with his house-keeper mother.

“She found me a job as helper in a carpentry factor near our home,” he said.

Child labour has been increasing in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion largely because of the spread of poverty, unemployment and widows, observers say.

There are no accurate estimates on child labour but a 2006 UNICEF survey put the percentage at 11 in the 10-14 age group.

“It’s very difficult to know whether this number is increasing as a result of the deaths of so many family wage-earners between 2006 and 2007,” said Claire Hajaj, Chief of External Relations for UNICEF.

“However, anecdotal data tells us that many families are being pushed into poverty as a result of conflict and displacement,” she added.

“Boys are more likely to work than girls in an average of 12 percent versus 9 percent and the problem is far higher in rural areas where poverty is most intense.”

Five years after the US-led invasion, the daily lives of Iraqis have worsened with millions having insufficient access to clean water, sanitation, electricity and health care.

With estimates putting the death toll at between 100,000 and one million, millions of families are left without bread-winners.

Sons or Fathers

The new reality in war-ravaged Iraq left thousands of children playing the roles of their fathers in putting bread on the table.

“The pressure to contribute to a struggling family income can certainly keep children out from school,” said Hajaj.

“In Iraq, this pressure combines with insecurity, school closures and a shortage of teachers in many areas to undermine children’s right to learn,” added the UNICEF official.

According to the United Nation, 17 percent of Iraqi children are permanently out of primary school.

An estimated 220,000 more are missing school because they and their families have been displaced or have to help support the family.

“Children who work after or before school hours are likely to be too tired for homework, or to concentrate during lessons,” says Hajaj.

“These children are also much more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation by adults - particularly in areas where conflict has undermined the rule of law.”

On average children spend nearly 10 hours a day in the work place.

“Poverty and displacement are the main causes,” says Professor Salah Faris, a social and economic analyst at Baghdad University.

“But the huge number of new widows has opened the doors for more child labours, especially among boys who since early age, take the responsibility to help in the family’s income,” he adds.

“Children are being driven to early work mostly by their own parents who for many reasons, take their children out from schools and drop them at dangerous streets to help in the house incoming.”

In April 2004, the government banned shopkeepers and industry from employing children under the age of 14.

Those who do not comply could be subjected to huge fines varying from 100 to 300 dollars and persistent offenders may be closed down.

But since the law came into force no penalties have been reported and instead, the number of children working in industries and restaurants has increased, according to Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

“Children rights are being violated in Iraq and although the law guarantees them education, health and security in the practice it is too far to happen,” a senior ministry official said, requesting anonymity.

UNICEF is working to relieve some of the financial burden on families with school-age children, by providing essential learning materials such as schoolbooks, bags and pens.

“Children and their families receive counselling and support to ensure that they can be reabsorbed into the community and re-enrolled into school,” said Hajaj, the Chief of External Relations.

“These efforts provide much-needed relief for those they reach but fall far short of tackling the wider problems facing so many families.”