UN warns of future for Afghan children; 9 million children face acute hunger

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, has warned in his latest report that millions of Afghan children face an uncertain future due to hunger, poverty, deprivation of education and widespread restrictions.

According to the report, about 9 million children in Afghanistan are struggling with acute hunger and 3.7 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition.

Bennett said that the economic crisis and reduced access to food for families are seriously threatening the health and development of children. A number of families have also been forced to reduce the quantity and quality of their food.

Girls' education is another important part of the report. Based on the statistics provided, millions of girls are still deprived of education, and the ban on secondary and university education has destroyed many of their hopes for the future.

The report also warns of the rise in mental health problems among girls and adolescents, citing poverty, educational deprivation and the lack of a clear future as the main factors.

Bennett also expressed concern about the increase in child labor, forced marriages, the weakening of the child protection system and the recruitment of a number of boys into Taliban forces.

The UN Special Rapporteur stressed that the continuation of this situation could have profound and irreparable consequences for the next generation of Afghans and called for increased humanitarian assistance and the restoration of the fundamental rights of women and children.

Reporter Shahbanu Noori