KABUL (SW): Despite years of investment and support, some three million children in Afghanistan are believed to be still facing serious challenges.
Officials and children rights activists noted this at an event organized here on Tuesday.
Wasil Noor Momand, Director at the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs & Disabled (MoLSAMD) told the gathering that the figure of children at risk has risen with the arrival of more repatriates and internally displaced families.
As per the challenges faced by the children, he said, an overwhelming number of them are still engaged in heavy labor work besides facing the threat of sexual exploitation. Terrorist attacks were also highlighted as major threat to the children, particularly those working or living on the streets.
“Some 1.6 million children are performing hard labor on the streets, it is an irony”, he said.
He stressed upon the need to dedicate exclusive and additional funds and efforts to safeguard the rights of the children.
On the occasion, Save the Children foundation announced its three-year plan in this regard.
Waheed Ahmadzai, Director of Save the Children in Afghanistan, said that the awareness campaign (Till the Last Child) would continue till the end of the year 2018. The campaign would aim to improve the lives of children, ensure their safety and growth.
Farhad Darya, leading Afghan musician and Save the Children’s Global Ambassador, was also present in the event. He regretted that this important segment of the society remains neglected in Afghanistan. He stressed that as long as this is not considered as a serious issue, it would not be resolved.
ENDS
