" Iraq's children face alarming crisis: rising labor, violence, and legal gaps" 24 November 2024

Iraq ranks as one of the worst countries globally for child labor, with 4.9% of its children engaged in work across various sectors...Many of these children are either exploited by criminal gangs or accompany family members who force them into begging...Iraq's children are facing educational barriers, with approximately two million school-age children currently out of school...

Adding to this, 160 children have been victims of human trafficking in 2023 and 2024... According to UNICEF, Iraq ranks 61st out of 163 countries on the Children’s Climate Risk Index... The systemic issues rooted in economic struggles and legal inadequacies have also contributed to a broader social instability, where violence against children is on the rise... “The lack of enforcement mechanisms leaves children exposed to exploitation, violence, and trafficking.”...

The deteriorating state of Iraq’s education system, with rising dropout rates and inadequate facilities, further exacerbates the challenges facing children...

Iraq is a signatory to critical international agreements such as the International Labour Organization’s Conventions 138 and 182, which aim to eliminate child labor and the worst forms of exploitation...Despite Iraq’s international commitments to children’s rights, the country still lags in passing effective domestic laws to protect children... Among the recorded violations, 107 children were killed, 129 maimed, and 32 recruited by armed groups...

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