Children in Prison
Years of conflict in Afghanistan have left the country in a state of extreme poverty. As a result many children are forced on to the streets where they must work in illegal, dangerous conditions to provide for themselves and their families. Theft, drug smuggling and sex work all expose children to physical, sexual and emotional abuse.
Poverty has also increased the number of girls being accused of "honour crimes". Laws concerning child marriage and child abuse are poorly understood or inadequate and many girls who have actually been abused end up being accused of adultery (an imprisonable offence in Afghanistan), and are handed over to the authorities as a way of protecting family honour.
Afghan authorities are poorly equipped to deal with juvenile crime and its causes and so many of these children have ended up in adult prisons where they are exposed to further abuse from inmates and guards. They leave with no skills, no education and nowhere to turn to. Rejected by their families and society they often return to crime or are coerced into commiting suicide. It is particulary common for young girls to set themselves on fire after being released from prison.
War Child's pioneering work in western Afghanistan has begun to challenge this system. We have separated children from adults in prison by setting up Juvenile Rehabilitation Centres where children are protected from abuse and are given training, counselling, education, and healthcare. A family liaison service helps children to reconnect with their families.
Work with the local Trades Guild has given children in prison real skills that will help them make a living legally once they leave detention. We are providing training in carpet making, tailoring, calligraphy and electronics. Alongside this, children are given the opportunity to communicate directly with their families by telephone. The combined effect is that children are more likely to successfully reintegrate with their families and society. War Child follows up with families following release, offering support and mentoring.
This is the first project of its kind in Afghanistan and we are sharing our knowledge with other organisations so that it can be rolled out across the country.
Late 2007 will see the opening of two drop-in centres run in partnership with local organisations. These centres will provide a safe space where children can access basic literacy classes, nutrition and psychosocial care. Children will be given opportunities to decide how the centres are run, and which activities are on offer. Our partners, with support from War Child, will aim to get these children off the streets by providing sustainable livelihood support to their families. In this way we can avoid children ending up in prison in ther first place.