Letter to the editor: Child rights in Afghanistan
Art by Chelsea Lai.
There is growing concern and concerted action toward child rights worldwide — particularly for impoverished and marginalized children. In 1989, a landmark human rights event occurred when the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a treaty that recognizes children’s rights around the world.
In 1994, the government in Afghanistan recognized the treaty, however, prolonged war and poverty have continued to take a heavy toll on children in the country. More than 56 per cent of Afghan children aged 0 to 17 live in multidimensional poverty, UNICEF found.
Furthermore, a 2022 situation analysis by UNICEF reported that 1.1 million children would require treatment for malnutrition, 15.1 million people would need access to safe drinking water, 18.1 million people would need health assistance, and 7.9 million children would require access to education.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University student Meetra Milad, originally from Afghanistan, started the Meetra Bright Horizons Foundation in June last year to offer support to impoverished children in the country.
“As someone who grew up with the dream of making a difference, I’ve always been deeply aware of the struggles many face in Afghanistan,” Milad says.
“I started the Meetra Bright Horizons Foundation with the hope of helping street children in Kabul …. My initial goal was simple — to provide school supplies to children who were denied access to education. But when the Taliban’s restrictions made this impossible, I knew I had to adapt.”
Milad says instead of giving up, she decided to redirect her foundation’s efforts towards providing food and clothing to vulnerable children in Afghanistan.
“It hasn’t been easy, but every time I see a child smile because they’ve had a meal or received warm clothes, I know that every sacrifice is worth it,” Milad says.
There are thousands of abandoned and impoverished children in Afghanistan. Recent child stories from Kabul include Rahela, a 10-year-old girl who burns espand, a type of incense, Abdullah, a 10-year-old boy who works at a restaurant peeling potatoes while also attending school, Haseeb, a 12-year-old boy who sells boiled eggs, Marwa, a 6-year-old girl who polishes shoes, Mujtaba, a 13-year-old boy who shines shoes for a living, and Yasin, a 9-year-old boy who sells socks on the streets.
The Meetra Bright Horizons Foundation operates exclusively in Kabul to ensure that children on the streets receive the support they need in difficult times.
William L. Watkinson said, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
With the efforts of the Meetra Bright Horizons Foundation, UNICEF, many NGOs, and dedicated people, there is hope and more light for the children of Afghanistan.
