Children in Afghanistan

According to the report, a total of 1,756 children were killed or injured due to the conflict in Afghanistan in 2011, representing an average of 4.8 children killed or injured per day, compared with 1,396 children killed or injured in 2010 In 2011, 316 children under the age of 18 were reportedly recruited by parties to the conflict in Afghanistan, with the majority of cases attributed to armed opposition groups. Children have been used to conduct suicide attacks, to plant IEDs and to transport provisions to armed groups. UNICEF calls on all armed opposition groups to stop recruitment of those who are under the age of 18 and calls on the Government of Afghanistan to ensure a continued focus on the implementation of the Action Plan to halt and prevent underage recruitment into the Afghan National Security Forces.  (UNICEF).

The number of children being killed in Afghanistan continues to grow.  I personally cannot even begin to understand the hurt and pain the families feel.  The violence and crime impacts the child’s emotional and sometimes may impact their physical being.  The children of Afghanistan face many obstacles that will keep them from experiencing a childhood that will help them actively construct self-identities. 

Due to the violence there is little adult guidance and supervision for the children.  Young children need caring adults to help them construct a positive sense of self with a respectful understanding of others (Derman-Sparks, 2010, p.11).

Reference:

Derman-Sparks, L., Olsen Edwards, J. (2010). Anti-Bias Education for Young Children and Ourselves. NAEYC: Washington, DC

 http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/index.html