AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE

The impact of conflict on children in Afghanistan Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. It is comprised of Save the Children International and 30 member organisations working to deliver change and ensure the greatest possible impact for children in more than 120 countries around the world.

Save the Children in Afghanistan is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and independent international organisation which has been working for Afghanistan since 1976. Save the Children is committed to supporting children through implementing programmes in various provinces of Afghanistan. We reached over 600,000 children in 2018 directly and through partners.

Save the Children in Afghanistan works closely with children, parents, teachers, village councils, religious leaders, ministries, national and international non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders. Our approach of closely engaging communities has enabled us to deliver lasting change to children in Afghanistan.

Some names in this report, including those marked *, have been changed to protect identities.

Published by Save the Children in Afghanistan www.savethechildren.net

First published 2019

© Save the Children International 2019

This publication is copyright, but may be reproduced by any method without fee or prior permission for teaching purposes, but not for resale. For copying in any other circumstances, prior written permission must be obtained from the publisher, and a fee may be payable.

Cover photo: Stefanie Glinski/Journalist

Design and editorial: GrasshopperDesign.net AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE The impact of conflict on children in Afghanistan PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST

Hemat*, 10, at home in Kabul Province Contents

Foreword 4

Acknowledgements 5

Abbreviations and acronyms 6

Quotes from children 7

Executive summary 8 Key findings 8

1 Introduction 13 Research background 13 Research objectives 13 Research methodology 14 Limitations 17

2 Provincial profiles 18 Kabul province 18 Balkh province 19 Faryab province 20 Sar-e-Pul province 21

3 About the survey respondents 22 Gender and age profile 22 Geographical profile 22 Education profile 22 Income characteristics 24

4 Key findings 25 Impact of conflict on children’s mental health 25 Prevalence of children experiencing conflict 25 Point of referral for children 27 Availability and accessibility of psychosocial counselling 29 Impact of conflict on children’s physical health 31 Child deaths and injuries in the conflict 31 Key threats to children’s physical safety 32 Safe and risky places for children’s safety 34 Availability and quality of health facilities 35 Adverse effects of conflict on health services 36 Impact of conflict on children’s access to education 38 Availability of schools 38 Children’s enrolment in schools 38 School facilities 38 Scale of conflict impacting children’s education 40 Adverse impacts of conflict on children’s education 44 Effects of economic hardship on children 45 Prevalence of children working 45 Prevalence of worst form of child labour (WFCL) 46 The lack of reliable data and its impact on the delivery of child protection services 48 How families, communities and service providers can protect children 49

5 Gaps in and barriers to effective child protection services 51 Dwindling funding and continuing insecurity 51 Issue–response incommensurability 52 Lack of strategic coherence 54 Insecurity restricts interventions 57 Mitigating strategies, approaches and shifts 57 Case management in development programming 58 Replicating successes 61

6 Conclusion and recommendations 63 Conclusions 63 Recommendations 67

Annexes 69 Annex I: Research framework 69 Annex II: List of key informants 71 Annex III: Data collection tools 73

Endnotes 95

3 Foreword

Throughout 2018 and 2019, Afghanistan has resulting from violence and suffering becoming the witnessed the breaking of numerous records; norm for millions of children. As 2019 marked the unfortunately, they are not ones which we should 18th anniversary of the current war, there are now celebrate. In 2018, 3,804 civilian deaths were no children born in Afghanistan who have not been reported and among the dead were 927 children, impacted by conflict. the highest recorded number of children killed in the Save the Children remains committed to addressing conflict during a single year in recent history. The the needs of the most vulnerable communities of violence continued into 2019 when in July alone, Afghanistan. Through our range of programmes, 425 Afghan civilians were killed and 1,164 wounded, from education and child protection to health and making it the deadliest month since at least 2009. nutrition and disaster risk reduction, we reached Meanwhile, children and other vulnerable groups nearly 5 million children in 2018. However, as the continue to be disproportionately and harmfully situation worsens, the government of Afghanistan affected in a country which has been consumed by and the international community must mobilise decades of violence. Compounding this violence, immediately to address the needs of all Afghans, Afghanistan has been plagued by droughts, floods including children. and other environmental concerns which exacerbate I would like to thank Afghan Australian Research the suffering of millions of children and impede their and Management Consulting (ARM Consulting) universal rights. who conducted the research and development of Multiple barriers prevent children in Afghanistan this report which aimed to assess the impact of from accessing and staying in school and as a result conflict in exacerbating issues affecting children they are unable to receive their right to learn. These in Afghanistan. Research such as this remains barriers include insecurity, poverty, lack of the right critical for both Save the Children and the wider documentation to enrol, gender discrimination, national and international community to not only distance to schools and the poor quality of schools. better understand the issues facing children in There are currently more than 3.7 million children Afghanistan, but to develop informed approaches out of school – 60% of whom are girls. Since 2018 to address them. at least 1,000 schools have been closed, resulting in I would also like to thank the Government of more than 325,000 children being unable to attend. Afghanistan, including the Ministries and provincial The state of millions of children’s health and departments, as well as our donors, for their nutrition has also reached unacceptably poor levels. ongoing support of Save the Children. We recognise At least 1.3 million children under the age of five that everyone has a role to play in the peaceful and are acutely malnourished and 41% of children – one productive future of Afghanistan, from an individual of the world’s highest rates – are suffering from Afghan child to advocates for their rights across stunting, which impedes the development of the the globe. child resulting in long-lasting and negative impacts. While the physical suffering of children requires Onno van Manen immediate action, so do the psychological impacts Save the Children Country Director, Afghanistan

4 Acknowledgements

In collaboration with Save the Children in Katharine Williamson (Senior Humanitarian Child Afghanistan, Afghan Australian Research and Protection Advisor). In addition, ARM Consulting Management Consulting (ARM Consulting) extends its appreciation to Dr Michaelle Tauson conducted research to assess the impact of conflict (External Consultant) for reviewing and improving in exacerbating child protection issues affecting the research design and data collection tools. children in Afghanistan. The research was carried ARM Consulting also appreciates the contributions out in a selected number of districts in Kabul, of the research participants: the children, parents, Balkh, Sar-e-Pul and Faryab provinces. relevant government officials and representatives ARM Consulting is grateful to Save the Children from national and international development for their guidance throughout the research, organisations who made themselves available and especially Stana Gul Ahmadzai (Senior Campaign shared valuable perspectives with us. Officer), Ronald Apunyo (Senior Monitoring, Lastly, ARM Consulting is thankful to its team Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Manager), led by Muska Dastageer (Lead Consultant) for David Bloomer (Regional Child Protection the exemplary collaborative work demonstrated Humanitarian Advisor, Asia), Deus Kamanyire during the research. In particular, ARM Consulting (Senior Child Protection Advisor), Stephanie Lord is greatly indebted to its field researchers who (Programme Development, Quality and Advocacy conducted interviews with community members Director – Afghanistan), David Mariano (Head of under perilous circumstances. Advocacy, Campaigns, Communications and Media – Afghanistan), Samirullah Popal (Advocacy Ziauddin Wahaj Manager), Nilofar Sherzad (Campaign Manager) and President, ARM Consulting PHOTO: ABDUL WASAY HEWADMAL/SAVE THE CHILDREN

Rafi*, newborn, receiving polio vaccine in Kandahar Province

5 Abbreviations and acronyms

AADA Agency for Assistance and INGO International Non-Profit Organization Development IOM International Organization for AHDS Afghan Development and Migration Health Services KAP Knowledge, Attitude and Practice ALP Afghan Local Police KII Key Informant Interview ANDSF Afghan National Defense and MEAL Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability Security Forces and Learning ANP Afghan National Police MoE Ministry of Education AOG Armed Opposition Group MoLSA Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs ARM Consulting Afghan Australian Research and MoMD Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled Management Consulting MoPH Ministry of Public Health CAF Care for Afghan Families MoRR Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation CDC Community Development Council MRRD Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and CM Case Management Development CP Child Protection NSIA National Statistics and Information CPAN Child Protection Action Network Authority CPMS Child Protection Minimum NUG National Unity Government Standards PPHCC Provincial Public Health Coordination CPWG Child Protection Working Group Committee DDA District Development Association SCA Swedish Committee for Afghanistan DiREC Displacement and Return SCI Save the Children International Executive Committee TdH Terre des Hommes EiEWG Education in Emergencies UNAMA United Nations Assistance Mission Working Group for Afghanistan FGD Focus Group Discussion UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific GCPEA Global Coalition to Protect and Cultural Organization Education from Attack UNFPA United Nations Population Fund HADAAF Humanitarian Assistance and UNHCR United Nations Higher Commissioner Development Association for for Refugees Afghanistan UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund HTAC Help the Afghan Children WADAN Welfare Association for the IDI In-depth Interview Development of Afghanistan IEC Independent Elections WB World Bank Group Commission WCC War Child Canada IED Improvised Explosive Device WCU War Child UK ILO International Labour WFCL Worst Form of Child Labour Organization

6 Quotes from children

“When fighting breaks out, no place is safe “We need peace, professional teachers in our village, but home is still better than and no violence.” outside. We hide in the corners of rooms.” 14-year-old boy, Faryab 14-year-old girl, Saayad District, Sar-e-Pul, Afghanistan “I did not go to school for one week last “Fighting must stop so that we can study. year, because of [parliamentary] election. When there is fighting, we cannot focus There was a [polling] centre in our school, on our studies.” and fighting happened between candidates 12-year-old boy, Sholgara District, Balkh on the election day. And furniture in our school was also broken because of fighting.” “I miss my friends when the school is closed. 17-year-old boy, Grade 10, Sayyed District, Sar-e-Pul I stay at home when school is closed, because my mother does not allow me “The biggest problem for us while going to to go outside because of fighting.” school is that boys harass us. I discussed 14-year-old boy, Sholgara, Balkh it with my parents and teachers, but they cannot do anything about it.” “My brother [14 years old] was near an 12-year-old, Grade 6, Solgara district, Balkh attack on Darulaman [road], and after the attack, he was always scared and anxious. He would stand up [from his place] each time there was a sound at home, even sound of door closing.” 16-year-old girl, Grade 11, Kabul

A drawing by a 14-year old girl, Faryab province

7 Executive summary

Save the Children in Afghanistan commissioned KEY FINDINGS ARM Consulting to assess the impact of conflict in exacerbating child protection issues affecting CHILDREN’S SAFETY AND WELL-BEING children in Afghanistan. Findings from the study will 1. 2018 was the deadliest year for children inform humanitarian programming and advocacy in Afghanistan since the start of the on how to best protect children in or affected by conflict in 2001. During 2018, the UN verified conflict in Afghanistan. The findings will also be used 927 child deaths and 2,135 injuries 1 related to to influence government policies and decisions for armed conflict. Children comprised 28% of all the protection of conflict-affected children. conflict-related casualties.2 This spike in child Data collection activities were undertaken over a casualties is attributed to an increase in aerial two week period in April 2019 in selected districts bombings and suicide attacks. of Kabul, Balkh, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces, 2. Parents surveyed report that armed followed by extensive analysis. A combination of clashes pose the most significant threat qualitative and quantitative methodology was used, to children’s safety. 70% of parents indicated starting with a literature review. 30 key informants that armed clashes between Afghan National were interviewed (6 female; 24 male) including Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) and relevant government officials at national and Armed Opposition Groups (AOG) pose the sub‑national levels and national and international greatest threat to their children’s safety. Crimes development partners. In addition, eight focus group such as abduction, robbery, car theft, and others discussions (FGDs) – two per province – were held were identified as the second most significant with children in the surveyed communities of target threat (61%), followed by night raids (39%). Night provinces. The mean age for girls who participated raids conducted either by international forces in FGDs was 11 and for boys it was 10. The or ANDSF aimed at neutralising AOGs are quantitative data was collected through household considered by respondents to pose a danger to surveys involving structured face-to-face interviews children. Additionally, 24% of parents consider with 600 parents (50% female) and 90 children sexual violence generally to be a major threat (50% girls). to children while 21% cited suicide attacks and another 21% cited landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) as the greatest threats to children’s safety. 3. 62% of parents report that children have been personally impacted 3 by the conflict. Parents were asked whether children in their area have experienced conflict, to which 62% responded in the affirmative, 33% negatively, and 5% were undecided. In terms of provincial breakdown, the percentage of children experiencing conflict is highest in the Sholgara district of Balkh province at 95%, followed by Kabul (65%), Faryab (55%), and Sar-e-Pul provinces.

8 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 99

PHOTO: MARIAM ATAHI/SAVE THE CHILDREN e experience of conflict causing is rents are the primary source of support Almost three-quarters of parents of children who been have personally impacted by conflict report that their children indications have of psychosocial distress. of these 73% parents reported that children experience fearfulness and anxiety; 48% reported prolonged sadness and sleep disturbance; reported 37% crying; excessive reportedand 25% self-isolation. During FGDs, children stated that conflict makes them and their families sad, fearful and worried and forces them to stay home from school. Of significant concern, 38% of parents reported that their reportedchildren self-harm, that children 11% engage in criminal activities and 8% reported that their children violent are other towards children, clearly demonstrating the impact of and behaviour children’s distress on prolonged ability to cope. for children who are personally impacted by conflict. to According parents, when children impactedare by conflict, theyseek support from their mothers and fathers. This was verified by children who indicate that the majority of them go to their mothers for and (82%) fathers (62%) assistance. Besides parents, some children go to people they of parents know: said about 14% that children go to immediate family members, relatives, or friends help. for Children not are reported to go to government officials, doctors, or religious figuresfor help when they are impacted by conflict. children widespread psychosocial distress. Pa Th

8. 7. Arezo*, 1, receiving health health receiving 1, Arezo*, and nutrition support in Nangarhar Province According to According Afghan e journey to and from school is th parents and children consider home orm of work, with a significant minority Bo to be the safest place for them. 80% of of parentschildren stated and 81% that children feel safe at home, while 30% of children and of parents34% stated that children feel safe at school. than boys More girls (69%) (91%) consider home to be safe. children Relatively few identified places outside of homes schools and as safe them. for Th considered to be unsafe by many parents and children, particularly girls.of 64% parents and of children 43% stated that children feel unsafe on their to way school. However, there is significantvariability between girls and of girls reportedboys. that 51% they feel unsafe on the to way school as compared of to 36% boys. In FGDs, girls identifiedsexual harassment including staring, stalking and verbal abuse as the of of boys girls cause. and reported 42% 56% that checkpointsunsafe are places them. for Additionally, of parents 55% reported that children feel unsafe on the to way markets. legislation, children between the ages of 15 and to work up to hours allowed are 35 per 17 week, as long as the is work not harmful to them and includes vocational training. Survey ofresults childreninvolved are indicate that 14% in some form of work, with higher proportions in rural areas than and significantly in Kabul more boys working than girls. Girls tend to work within the home in carpet weaving, handcrafts and – to some extent – in agricultural activities, while boys work as street vendors, shoemakers, restaurant workers, retail workers, and in carpet weaving outside the home. Of the children who work, a significant minority are engaged in work that may constitute child labour because it exceeds hours 35 a week, interferes with their education, or because the work takes in place conditions. hazardous engaged in child in engaged labour. 14% of children14% are engaged in some f

6. 5. 4. CHILDREN’S ACCESS TO SERVICES their communities, whilst 59% reported that 9. Armed conflict continues to adversely they are not. The availability of services was impact on the delivery of health services. significantly higher in Kabul than in the other In 2018, a total of 62 attacks on hospitals and provinces. 26% of parents reported that their protected personnel were verified, 74% of which children access psychosocial support services in were attributed to armed groups.4 Based on the their communities and considered that this has internal records of the Afghan Ministry of Public supported their recovery. However, access to Health (MoPH), a total of 40 hospitals and psychosocial support services is restricted by clinics across the country have been affected the cost of services, lack of awareness about AFRAID GO OUTSIDE TO by the conflict, primarily in Helmand, Ghazni what is being offered and concerns about the and Maydan Wardak.5 Of these 40, one of the quality of the services provided. hospitals was located within Sar-e-Pul, but none 11. Armed conflict continues to pose a of the other three provinces included in this serious threat to children’s education. research were affected. 48% of parents stated Records from the Ministry of Education (MoE) that people are afraid to go to health facilities indicate that 1,153 schools have been affected due to the fear that they may be targeted for by the conflict since 2013.7 The targeting of attack. 15% stated that medical staff are often schools for attack has increased in recent years, absent from their duties as they fear for their with 2018 marking the year with the highest own safety. The remaining 6% reported that number of attacks (377).8 The rise in attacks people are forced to go to urban centres when on schools is in part attributed to the use of seeking health services as hospitals and clinics schools as polling stations for parliamentary in their vicinity are either closed, dangerous to elections. In addition, MoE records document visit or offer substandard services. a total of 2,787 cases of school staff casualties 10. The availability and accessibility 6 of over the last six years, with 377 recorded in psychosocial support services is limited, 2018. A total of 192 attacks against schools particularly in rural areas. Overall, 37% of and protected personnel were verified as parents reported that psychosocial support grave violations by the UN-led Monitoring 9 services are available for their children in and Reporting Mechanism. Of those attacks, 92% were attributed to armed groups. PHOTO: ABDUL WASAY HEWADMAL/SAVE THE CHILDREN THE HEWADMAL/SAVE WASAY ABDUL PHOTO:

Samir*, in a community-based education class in Kabul Province

10 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 11 Key informants Key Given the limited capacity The design of child protection mited activities in a siloed manner li ‑ n-compliance with the child protection e sustainability of programmes is e lack of strategic partnership and No framework. legislative further undermined short-term by funding cycles. interventions using short-term project-based strategies undermines that the likelihood activities will be sufficiently developed to beyondcontinue the lifecycle.project One NGO representative described the delivery of time as a form of strategic shortsightedness. A another from representative contended that child protection efforts should not be on a project basis due to the time-limited nature of projects. Th the ability undermines funding sustainable of national NGOs to provide consistent service provision. of the government and the restricted access of international NGOs, Afghan NGOs play a significantservicerole in delivery. However, their ability to do this iswell undermined by mechanisms, funding limited coordination poor and short-term funding cycles. As a result, NGOs shift between sectors the to follow flow of donor funding, losing expertise and specialism along the way. This highlights the collective of donorsfailure and international NGOs to build strategic and sustainable partnerships NGOs.with national highlighted that government officials often fail to implement or actively violate national and international legislation on child rights and child protection. Examples include the failure to respond to evidence of children working in military and police organisations, andthe falsification of nationalidentity cards to enable children to present under or over. 18 as 18 Th

15. 16. 17. This has required 10 The percentage funding of the These dynamics translate into a vernmental organisations (NGOs), (NGOs), organisations vernmental go ‑ manitarian fundingmanitarian Afghanistan for ternational assistance to Afghanistan ontinue to lag behind those of boys. School enrolment rates girls for in the provinces surveyed ranged from 40% in Balkh to in 73% Kabul. Boys’ enrolmentrates exceeded those of girls in province, every ranging in from 70% Faryab to 87% reasons in Kabul. Key the for enrolmentlower rate of girls identified were as lack of support from families and communities due to conservative beliefs, insecurity and girls’ vulnerability to harassment on the to way and from school. School enrolment rates are starting asalso children lower get older, at the73% for age 11-and-under range, dropping age range, and dropping the 12–14 to 67% for age range. the for further 15–17 to 61% Insecurity, including attacks against schools and their use military for purposes; conservative attitudes girls’ towards education and economic hardship given as were the reasons key why attendsome children don’t school. In multitude of programmes, fragmenting service delivery and undermining the quality of services. informantsKey repeatedly stated that fewer, more strategic approaches required are to address complex childprotection issues. is undermined by a lack of coordination development and humanitarian across frameworks and short-term funding cycles. adjustment from national and international international and national adjustment from non leading to staff cuts and a decrease in activities. narrowed have NGOs international Several the scope of their child protection interventions to include only the most vulnerable children. Diminishing humanitarian funds require child protection actors coordination to improve and optimise the use of existing funds. Hu beenhas decreasing year-on-year 2016. since has decreased plans response humanitarian year-by-year from 88% to in 64% the in 2016 first nine months of 2019. Rates of school enrolment for girls c

CHILD IN PROTECTION THE HUMANITARIAN AFGHANISTAN IN SYSTEM 13. 14. 12. PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST Yalda, 10, is a child activist advocating for education in Afghanistan 1 Introduction

This section presents information on the research background, objectives, methodology and limitations. The section also contains details on data collection tools and sampling strategy adopted for the research.

RESEARCH BACKGROUND a substantive contribution to the existing evidence base and to help inform programming, advocacy For children, the Afghan war has exacted a heavy and campaigns for Save the Children and other toll of suffering and continues to pose an array of child rights actors. profound threats. Conflict exposes children to toxic The research team set out to provide a nuanced levels of stress, lack of access to protection, school assessment on how conflict affects different groups of and health facilities and the loss of key sources of children in Afghanistan, bringing out the perspectives social support such as immediate and extended and voices of conflict-affected children themselves. family, village elders and community leaders. Many have experienced extreme situations of physical and mental violence and abuse due to ongoing conflict RESEARCH OBJECTIVES and its manifold consequences – displacement, poverty and harmful social norms that are able Save the Children in Afghanistan commissioned to proliferate due to weak governance and rule ARM Consulting to assess the impact of conflict of law. For a great majority, sources of distress in exacerbating child protection issues affecting are a permanent part of their everyday social children in Afghanistan. Findings from the study environments and are indirectly caused by conflict. will inform Save the Children’s programming and Examples are loss of or separation from parents advocacy initiatives for the period of 2019 to 2021 or caregivers, physical or sexual violence and child on how to best protect children in or affected by labour. These interlock with and are exacerbated conflict in Afghanistan. It aims also to influence by macro-level causes such as poverty, the government policies and decisions for the protection corrosion of social fabric and weak governance. of conflict-affected children. To this end, the Provision of services is fraught with issues, further study explores: compounding child protection vulnerabilities in the i) How children are affected by conflict country. Pervasive insecurity resulting from a conflict in Afghanistan, in particular within the spanning multiple decades, lack of reliable data, lack research areas; of access to affected populations and fragmented ii) What can be done to effectively protect them; coordination between government institutions iii) The barriers and gaps to provision of effective, and development organisations are just some of preventive and responsive services to children the barriers to providing effective, preventive and in or affected by conflict; responsive services to conflict-affected children. iv) How these can be mitigated and overcome through programmatic interventions To best support conflict-affected children it is and advocacy; necessary to understand how children have been v) The government’s capacity to respond to the affected by war, but in Afghanistan the evidence child protection needs of children in conflict. base on the impact of conflict on children is small, with considerable gaps. This research examines how The above primary research questions were the ongoing conflict exacerbates child protection further operationalised into a research framework issues affecting Afghan children. It sets out to make containing specific sub-questions to guide the

13 14 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE TABLE DATA 1: POPULATION TARGET THE FOR DISTRICTS Authority Information and Statistics National the from data census survey, (KAP) Perceptions and 2017 Attitudes the including Knowledge, reports, and monitoring evaluation data, assessments, needs as such data Children the Save pertinent review included literature The base. evidence empirical existing the in assessment impact the situate to well as as protection child to relating perspectives research on draw to documents of range awide studied team research The REVIEW LITERATURE FGDs. and (KIIs) interviews key informant interviews, face-to-face review,literature structured a as such collection, for data tools qualitative and quantitative both used research The partners. and nationalofficials, and international development government including children, parents, stakeholders, all of key participation meaningful ensure to order in approach inclusive an adopted research The METHODOLOGY RESEARCH I. Annex to refer please framework, research detailed the For tools. collection data of development and scope research Kabul Province Total Balkh Sar-e-Pul Faryab Police District 3 District Police 2 District Police Police District 1 District Police Target districts Sozma Qala Sozma Sholgara Sayyad city Sar-e-Pul Pashtun Kot Maimana 12 distribution of 50%. 50%. of distribution iv) and response 95%;of 4%, of iii) error of amargin level ii) research; aconfidence the in targeted be to 18) of age districts the the in under population total the (including population i) total factors; four of light in calculated was 600 size of sample The NSIA. the per 1,327,002 as individuals, be to for 2018–19 estimated is districts targeted the of population total The face. children situations complex and varying the of understanding an build to provinces the across insights comparable gain to was component this of purpose The Sar-e-Pul. and Faryab Balkh, Kabul, provinces, four (districts) the of areas SCI’s across impact children and 600 parents with surveys administered researchers the collection, data the of component quantitative the In SURVEYS HOUSEHOLD also reviewed. were Novib Oxfam and Care International (UNFPA), Fund UN Women, Population Nations World UNICEF, United as such Vision, agencies other by collated and collected Data UN Data. and Division Statistics Initiative’s UN Resource Centre, REACH the Info, Response Humanitarian as reviews such sources from secondary and (NSIA) Population 1,327,002 206,072 124,697 170,499 110,932 187,155 187,155 187,155 91,490 61,847 age of 18 of age Population under the 752,410 116,843 106,117 106,117 106,117 62,898 96,673 35,067 70,703 51,875 11

1 INTRODUCTION 15

13 13 14 16 20 261 143 530 240 406 1,643 Total number of Total settlements/villages Stage II – Cluster sampling Administrative areas in Afghanistan broken were down into the provinces, following: districts, then settlements As the or villages (rural). (urban) provinces and districts preselected, were randomisation was utilised at the settlement/village 2 shows the number ofsettlements/ level. Table villages in each district. As only 600 surveys were administered to time and budget (due constraints), and each of the nine districts required investigation by SCI with two settlements/villages randomly selected in each district, the resulting sample size in each settlement/village families. was roughly 33 A trade-off was made between representing a wide number of settlements/villages and the largest number of families possible within each randomly selected settlement/village. As settlements/villages within target districts tend to be homogeneous in regard to ethnicity, income, language, population size, and religion, the latter option was chosen in order to mitigate sampling variability. Further, to ensure the equal representation of urban and rural settings, one village and one settlement were selected in each district. Settlements and villages selectedwere from the lists using provided the random function in Excel. For Balkh, Faryab and Sayyad Sozma Qala Sar-e-Pul city Pashtun Kot Pashtun Maimana Target district Target Police District 1 Police District 2 Police District 3 Sholgara Total Sar-e-Pul Faryab Kabul Balkh Province Stage I – Purposeful random sampling Purposeful random – I Stage the and districtsProvinces within these provinces pre-selectedwere by SCI (Kabul, Balkh, Faryab and Sar-e-Pol), as those the are areas of intervention where data and information needed are to ensure proper programming. Purposeful and random in the same sentence may sound oxymoronic, but this simply means that a population that the researchers towant know more about is identified. Systematised and random sampling methods then were used to ensure that a representative group within the population was selected. It is vital to mention that the findingscannot be generalised to the whole country but can be considered to apply to the entire province. Comparisons can therefore be made across provinces, and potentially districts. Understanding that the purpose of the research was to gain an understanding of the situation where SCI has been working, a multi-stage sampling approach was used across the geographical areas. Essentially, this was a strategy where sampling was carried out in multiple stages, where the sample size gets smaller at each stage to simplify the sampling procedure. Specifically, the strategywas designed as follows. TABLE 2: NUMBERTABLE OF SETTLEMENTS SELECTED BY DISTRICT AND PROVINCE 16 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE right in urban areas. areas. urban in right the on house every fifth and areas rural in right the on house every third selecting for example sample, the in for inclusion households all other select to followed interval aset then interviewer the house, first-contacted the approaching After walk. random the of start the following at arrived interviewer the thirdhouse or second, first, the either house, first-contacted adifferent assigned randomly was point sampling each addition, In boys. and girls for each one points, sampling were two there settlement/village each For northern). or southern selected locations (central, western, eastern, five randomly the of one in fieldwork commenced researchers settlement/village, each Within settlements within sampling –Systematic III Stage wereMunicipality’s used. maps Kabul in outlined settlements the for Kabul, while (MRRD), Development and Ruralof Rehabilitation Ministry Afghan available the from settlements of list the used team research the provinces, Sar-e-Pul Kabul Province Kabul in class education community-based in 10, Gulnoor*,

secondary literature review. was guide literature KII secondary The by informed protocols KII pre-constructed of guidance the with were conducted interviews All interviews. for the people right the access to well as as participatory and inclusive research make the to the informants key of identification towards the approach snowball and apurposeful used research and international (8) The development partners. (18), officials relevantnational government (4) male) 24 including (6 female, key informants with interviews 30 administered team research The INTERVIEWS INFORMANT KEY gridKish principle. the according to selected were then respondents the and age, descending of order in were listed 18 of age the below years members household All bias. prevent and selection respondents select 18 of age randomly the to under household the of members on method Kish the adopted researchers the ahousehold, selecting After households within sampling –Systematic IV Stage PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST STEFANIE PHOTO: 1 INTRODUCTION 17 necessitating the replacement of these two districts with two others. Upon the conveying information to Save the Children in Afghanistan and consulting with the country office, the changewas approved and fieldworkredirected to thesafer and more accessible Sayyad and Sozma Qala districts. As these two districts lie beyond the area of implementationprogrammes SCI’s for in Sar-e-Pul, their selection in of Sancharak place and Gosfandi districts, and possible attendant limitations the for findings of the warrantskey study,highlighting. limitationsKey of the study also derive from changes to scope made on the basis feedback of i) from the Ethics Committee Review of Save the Children UK; compliance ii) with Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding methodological iii) Policy; and time constraints. The original scope of the study as of Reference was reduced outlined Terms in the 2018 with the omission of themes including recruitment of children by armed organisations, street working children and displacement. Including questions on child soldiers in surveys and KII protocols was found to be in violation with the Child Safeguarding Policy, and the methodological approach of purposeful sampling by the favoured Ethics Committee Review research for did not allow into street working children and displaced children who often are hidden populations. also found that Reviewers the broad compromise would thescope outlined in the ToR depth and quality of data and analysis. The initial scope furthermore necessitated excessively long questionnaire and interview protocols which were deemed inappropriate children. for These reasons also figured prominently in the decision to limit the original scope of the study. Finally, findings key presented in thisreport are based on consultations with children, parents, and various stakeholders in the humanitarian sector and within the Afghan Government. For interview and survey data from parents, it should be borne in mind that their responses adult are interpretations experiences of children’s and could thus hold imprecisions. As humanitarian for and asymmetries information stakeholders, government or unwillingness to share information must be factored in as possible sources of imprecision as well. The plausibility of information asymmetries is and coordination the finding that by compounded agencies, humanitarian among action collective development actors and government ministries is strained. LIMITATIONS The findings of the study at hand not are generalisable to the whole of the country as provinces and districts selected were purposefully. The study targeted provinces and districts in which SCI has implemented interventions, programmatic but the final decision of where administerto fieldworkcame down securityto conditions at the time of data collection. the At onset of the fieldwork phase,security deteriorated in Sancharak and Gosfandi districts of Sar-e-Pul province, INDIVIDUAL STRUCTURED INTERVIEWS INTERVIEWS STRUCTURED INDIVIDUAL The individual research also structured involved interviews with 90 children per (ten district) using a questionnaire questions consisting of 14 – mostly closed-ended. The children randomly were selected from the 600 target households in a bid to hear from children themselves they on how feel about conflict it and impactshow them well as as how they cope with and respond to it. In terms of gender, half of the children interviewed girls, were and half boys. were Please refer to Annex III the for structured interviews questionnaire. individual FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS GROUP FOCUS In order to a deeper develop understanding into the research questions, eight FGDs – two per held with were province – 64 children, half of whom girls.were FGDs organised were separately with girls and boys cross-gender to avoid social pressures and to respect Afghan socio-cultural mores. The focus groups included participatory elements icebreakerslike in order to engage children and encourage openness and freedom of expression. A team of two individualsLead – a Facilitator and a – moderated the discussionsNote through Taker a protocol questions consisting of 19 around different dynamics of the research topic. Please refer to Annex III the for FGD guide. structured around four sections: informant key i) background information; government ii) capacity to respond to child protection needs of children in or affected by conflict; effective iii) programmatic interventions protection for of children in or affected by conflict; barriers iv) and gaps in providing effective and responsive preventive services to children in or affected by conflict. Pleaserefer to Annex II the for list informants. of key 2 Provincial profiles

KABUL PROVINCE

Located in the central region of the country, Kabul province contains the capital of Afghanistan, Kabul city. Kabul is the largest city of the country and the cultural and economic hub of Afghanistan. Despite falling under the control of the Afghan government,14 Kabul province has witnessed regular attacks, in particular complex suicide attacks, perpetrated by AOG since 2002.

Population15 • Population: 5.03 million (49% female; 51% male) • Urban population: 85%; rural population: 15%

Education 16 • Literacy rate, age 14 and above: 57% (female: 41%) • Net attendance rate, primary school: 76% • Net attendance rate, secondary school: 55%

Health17 • Births attended by a doctor, midwife or nurse: 85% • Access to skilled antenatal care: 88% • Deliveries in medical facilities: 83%

Labour • Participation • Female participation rate market 18 rate No: 53% Yes: 47% in market: 22% • Proportion of labour force literate: 62%

Sectors of Public employment19 17% Services 38%

Construction 10%

Manufacturing 9%

Agriculture 17%

Access to • Safe drinking water: 94% • Sanitary toilets: 94% services and • Electricity: 98% • Number of mobile phones infrastructure per 100 people: 33

Major child • United Nations International Children’s • HEWAD Reconstruction, Health and protection Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Humanitarian Assistance Committee service • International Labour Organization (ILO) • Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance providers • International Organization for Migration (CHA) (IOM) • Terre des Homes (TdH) • Afghan Rehabilitation and Health Services • Aschiana Foundation – Helping the Organization (ARHSO) Children of Afghanistan • The Afghan Child Education and Care • The Welfare Association for the Organization (AFCECO) Development of Afghanistan (WADAN)

18 2 PROVINCIAL PROFILES 19 34% 25% male participation rate oportion of labour force in market: 46% literate: 42% Fe Pr

• • mber of mobile phones nitary toilets: 22% Sa Nu per 100 people: 25

17% • • Yes: 66% 12% 6% No: 34%

Other than AOG, the has province unauthorised armed groups, 20 Public Services Agriculture e Construction Participation rat Manufacturing

• Future for Afghan Children Organization Foundation Nabizada • for• Women Afghan (WAW) Women • Islamic Relief • Aschiana Foundation – Helping the Children of Afghanistan • Swedish Committee for Afghanistan (SCA) • Red Crescent Authority (RCA) • Balkh Juvenile Police Directorate • Balkh Juvenile Prosecutor’s Department • Balkh Juvenile Primary Court • Social Development & Better Future for Afghanistan Organization Afghanistan Stakestian • (ILF) Foundation Legal International • • United Nations International Emergency Children’s Fund (UNICEF) • International Labour Organization (ILO) • Safe drinking water: 49% • Electricity: 92% • • 1.47 million (49% female; 51% male) million female;• 1.47 (49% 51% • Urban population: 38%; rural population: 62% • Literacy rate, and above: 39% (female: age 26%) 14 • Net attendance rate, primary school: 64% • Net attendance rate, secondary school: 41% • Births attended midwife by a doctor, or nurse: 50% • Access to skilled antenatal care: 86% • Deliveries in medical facilities: 47% 25 21 22 24 23 which from time to time challenge the authority of the government and rule of law. Major child child Major protection service providers Access to services and infrastructure Education Health Labour market Population Balkh is located province in the north ofAfghanistan, with Mazar-e-Sharif serving as the provincial capital. is The largely province in the hands of Afghan government present are forces, in while AOG remote areas of some districts. Sectors of employment BALKH PROVINCE BALKH 20 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE FARYAB PROVINCE employment of Sectors providers service protection Major child infrastructure and services to Access market Labour Health Education Population 2018. place in took attacks of amajority which in provinces eight the of one as Faryab identified has (SIGAR) Reconstruction for Afghanistan General Inspector Special The sides. two the between AOG by controlled contested or are either districts of remainder the while provincial capital, the Maimana, controls government Afghan AOG. The and ANDSF between clashes armed experiences regularly and country the of provinces insecure most the of one is It Turkmenistan. with aborder shares and Afghanistan of north the in province located is Faryab 29 30 28 27 31 • Faryab Juvenile Primary Court Juvenile Prosecutor’s• Faryab Department (NRC) Council Refugee • Norwegian (AADA) Afghanistan of Development and Assistance for • Agency (SDO) Organization Development • Sanayee Hospital Health Public • Provincial Resource Center • Juvenile 23 people: 100 per phones mobile of • Number 36% toilets: • Sanitary 86% • Electricity: 56% water: drinking • Safe • 22% facilities: medical in • Deliveries 56% care: antenatal skilled to • Access 24% nurse: or adoctor, by midwife attended • Births 30% school: secondary rate, attendance • Net 54% school: primary rate, attendance • Net 1418%) age (female: 29% above: and rate, • Literacy 88% 12%; population: rural population: • Urban 51% (49% female; million • 1.09 male)

Manufacturing rat Participation Construction e Agriculture Services Public Public

No: 36% No: 2% 26 14% Yes: 64% Yes: 16% 25% • •

literate: 28% Pr 49% market: in Fe oportion of labour force force labour of oportion male participation rate rate participation male 40% 2 PROVINCIAL PROFILES 21 32 60% male participation rate oportion of labour force in market: 43% Fe Pr literate: 23%

• • Yes: 67% 13% 12% 10% 2% No: 33%

Public Services Agriculture e Construction Participation rat Manufacturing

• Safe drinking water: 34% • Electricity: 85% • Sanitary toilets: 10% • Number of mobile phones per 100 people: 14 ZOA-Afghanistan • • Empowerment Center for (EWC) Women • Organization for Research and Community Development (ORCD) • New Afghanistan Association Women (NAWA) • Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) • Red Cross Society (RCS) Coordinating• Humanitarian Assistance (CHA) • Provincial Public Health Hospital Department Prosecutor’s Juvenile Provincial • • Provincial Juvenile Primary Court • Help the Afghan Children (HTAC) • Literacy (female: 14%) rate, and above: 21% age 14 • Net attendance rate, primary school: 44% • Net attendance rate, secondary school: 17% • Births attended midwife by a doctor, or nurse: 38% • Access to skilled antenatal care: 60% • Deliveries in medical facilities: 40% • • 0.6 million (49% female; 51% male) • 0.6 million female; (49% 51% • Urban population: 8%; rural population: 92% 37 33 34 36 35 Access to services and infrastructure Major child child Major protection service providers Health Labour market Population Education Sar-e-Pul is located province in the north of Afghanistan. It has districts seven with Sar-e-Pul city serving as its capital. provincial to According SIGAR, two of the districts seven under are the influence of the government of Afghanistan, contested four are and one district is under the control of AOG. Sectors of employment SAR-E-PUL PROVINCE 3 About the survey respondents

GENDER AND AGE PROFILE GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

In accordance with the approved inception report, The research conducted structured interviews with the research engaged 600 parents (50% female; urban (69%) and rural (31%) populations in the 50% male) through questionnaire-based structured target provinces. Urban populations were defined interviews across four provinces. The gender ratio as those residing in capital centres of provinces and adopted for the research is in line with the female districts while rural populations refer to individuals and male population of the target provinces, as per residing in villages. The underlying reason for a NSIA.38 In terms of age, the mean39 age for female higher urban ratio is essentially due to engaging respondents is 39 years, while for male respondents more parents from Kabul city. Excluding Kabul, the it is 43 years. The median40 age of female urban and rural ratios are roughly similar in other respondents is 40 years and for men it is 45 years. target provinces. The youngest respondent was a 17-year-old mother in Kabul city, while the oldest respondent was a 79-year-old male from Maimana district of Faryab EDUCATION PROFILE province. The median age of girls consulted for the study is 12 years, while for boys it is nine years. The The survey results suggest that half (51%) of the mean age for girls who participated in focus group surveyed parents in the target areas cannot read discussions is 11 years and for boys it is ten years. and write, and an additional 10% have no formal The youngest participants were seven years old, education, having instead studied in Madrassa or at while the oldest was 17 years old. home. 12% have primary education (Grade 1–6), while

FIGURE 1: RESPONDENTS’ GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

100

90 31% 80 44% 48% 45% 70

60

% 50 100%

40 69% 30 56% 52% 55% 20

10

0 Balkh Faryab Kabul Sar-e-Pul Overall

Urban Rural

22 3 ABOUT THE SURVEY RESPONDENTS 23 8% 14% 33 20 University University (%)

2% University 5% 0 0 68 6 2 9 7 Grade 14 (%) 4%

6% Grade 14 Grade 6 3 6 4 6 1 4 7 0 1 2 1 7 4 5 9 2 3 3 5 1 11 14 12 12 13 High school (%) 8% The data shows that the rate of 8% 41

8% High school High 9 5 6 8 5 11 Secondary (%) school 6% 6% illiteracy is highest in the Sholgara district of Balkh by Faryab followed (73%), province and Sar-e-Pul each. In contrast,provinces at 61% the illiteracy rate was found to be at 28%. in much Kabul lower Likewise, a higher proportion of parents consulted reportedin Kabul university education level (20%) unanticipated given the relatively lower national national lower the relatively given unanticipated comparedadult male illiteracy to rate women (55%) reported(83%) by the United Nations Educational, ScientificCultural and Organization (UNESCO) Afghanistan. in

5% Secondary 3 0 6 0 7 1 5 7 7 4 5 0 12 19 23 15 10 Primary school (%) 12% 13%

9 9 9 3 4 Primary 9 7 11% 14 10 20 12 12 12 Home Home schooling (%) 10% 13%

Overall tutoring 74 19 76 52 47 70 70 38 61 61

73 28 No education (%) 8%

Home schooling/ Home 51% Male Female Gender Gender (%) Male Total Female Male Female Total Male Total Female Male Total 41%

61% No education No 0

10 70 50 20 30 60 40 90 80

Female 100 % FIGURE 2: RESPONDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL PROFILE RESPONDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL 2: FIGURE Balkh Province Kabul Faryab Sar-e-Pul TABLE 3: RESPONDENTS’ 3: TABLE EDUCATION BREAKDOWN PROVINCE BY Comparing the of education levels of respondents the research demonstratesby gender, that more no literacy have comparedfemale respondents (61%) More male respondentsto male respondents (41%). reported having university(14%) education level compared to female respondents This is (2%). not the number of respondents with secondary (Grade education are and 11–12) high school (Grade 7–10), and 8% respectively.6% studied have 5% to Grade 14, while 8% university have education. level 24 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE and daily wage labour for income generation, generation, for income wage labour daily and businesses owned privately jobs, formal on largely Target provinces. Kabul in depend households target Kabul other and between sources income among avariation to points data The sources. other from income their obtain 7% remaining the while (21%). 19% ownership jobs formal on rely Another (24%),followed business and wage labour daily by (29%), respondents surveyed the among income source household of largest the is Agriculture INCOME CHARACTERISTICS education. university have respondents of percentage aminor only where provinces, target other to compared FIGURE 3: HOUSEHOLD PRIMARY INCOME SOURCES FIGURE 4: HOUSEHOLD MONTHLY INCOME (AFN) MONTHLY INCOME HOUSEHOLD 4: FIGURE Median monthly household income (AFN) 20,000 10,000 15,000 5,000 0 Own business 21% business Own Formal employment 19% employment Formal AFN 11,000 Balkh Balkh Others 7% Others AFN 10,000 Faryab per person day USD 1.90 per as defined line poverty national 7.7 size of household average national the the and (129 Considering 10,000 respectively. AFN USD), 11,000 (142 USD) AFN with Faryab and and Balkh (155 12,000 followed USD), AFN at by stands of AFN 15,000 (194 15,000 AFN of USD). income monthly amedian with provinces, other to compared Kabul in higher is households of income monthly the that shows further data income The aligns with the national poverty level (55% poverty national the with aligns which line, poverty the below are living households wage labour. daily and agriculture on primarily rely provinces Faryab and Sar-e-Pul Balkh, in while households income for surveyed households in Sar in households for surveyed income 43 AFN 15,000 by the World Bank, a majority of the the of amajority World the by Bank, Farming/agriculture 29% Kabul Kabul Daily wage labour 24% labour wage Daily 42 The median monthly AFN 12,000 Sar-e-Pul ‑ e ‑ Pu 44 l province ). 4 Key findings

The research key findings have been classified into six sub-sections. The first section presents how conflict affects the mental health of children, and the second contains details of the impact of conflict on children’s physical health. The third section highlights how conflict affects children’s access to education. The fourth section talks about the effects of economic hardship on children in the target areas. The fifth section considers how barriers and gaps can be overcome and outlines key areas of focus for SCI to prioritise in its programmatic, advocacy and campaigning efforts.

Impact of conflict on children’s mental health

This assessment investigated the psychological casualties, facing fighting or attack, loss of a family impact of conflict on children, including who they member, witnessing a conflict-related incident in go to for help and the extent to which children in the community and others. In terms of provincial or affected by conflict have access to psychosocial breakdown, the percentage of children experiencing counselling services. conflict is highest in the Sholgara district of Balkh province, where more than nine out of ten parents stated that children experience conflict. It is PREVALENCE OF CHILDREN worth noting that Sholgara district is regularly EXPERIENCING CONFLICT the site of armed clashes between government forces and AOG as well as incidents involving Parents were asked whether children in their unauthorised armed groups. In contrast, 65% of area experience conflict, to which 62% responded parents in the city of Kabul reported their children in the affirmative, 33% negatively, and 5% were experiencing conflict, while in Faryab and Sar‑e‑Pul, undecided at the time of the interview. For the the proportions are 55% and 52% respectively. sake of this research, experiencing conflict was Overall, the research indicates that, as stated by defined as the direct or indirect exposure of a their parents, more than six out of ten children are child to conflict. Such exposure encompasses child experiencing conflict.

TABLE 4: CHILDREN’S EXPERIENCE OF CONFLICT BY PROVINCE

Province Yes (%) No (%) Don’t know (%)

Balkh 95 0 5

Faryab 55 41 4

Kabul 65 32 3

Sar-e-Pul 52 39 9

Weighted average 62 33 6

25 26 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE conflict, said their parents. parents. their said conflict, experiencing upon children other against violence have committed 8% and crime in have engaged self and (28%) anger pronounced seen hadand also conflict to exposure upon excessively crying children seen have they Moreover, that stated 37% parents of boys. than girls prevalent more be among to found a reaction conflict, experiencing to due themselves harm children that reported parents 38% of alarmingly, More asleep. while screaming and experience nightmares, sleepwalking, sleep talking, children that indicated further parents with consultations disturbances among children. In-depth sleep and sadness prolonged to led experience the that stated each 48% and anxiety and fear feel children parents, 73% the of According to anddistress trauma upon conflict. experiencing of symptoms more or one have shown children their that 62% All reported trauma. and distress psychosocial with associated symptoms common the of terms in children, affects howon conflict perspectives their expressed also conflict experience children that stated who 62%The parents of FIGURE 5: SYMPTOMS OF CONFLICT IMPACTING CHILDREN Violence against other children against other Violence ‑ is Fearfulness and anxiety Fearfulness olation (25%). Additionally, 11% (25%). Additionally, olation children of Prolonged sadness Pronounced anger Engaging in crime Sleep disturbance Sleep Excessive crying Excessive Self-isolation Self-harm

0

10 8%

11% 20

25% 30 28%

for longer.for effects adverse the feel to tend bombings suicide to or close gunfire of line the in being as such conflict severe of forms experienced had who children that noticed researchers the but months, to weeks several between ranged answers most way, this felt they how asked long When families. their support financially to order work in have to they because in education disinterested become unemployment experience families whose or lose breadwinners who children addition, In school. from home stay to them forces and worried and fearful sad, families their and them makes conflict that stated Some health. mental their impacts how conflict on perspectives their expressed also themselves children discussions, group focus Through 37% 14-year-old girl, Grade 6, Maimana, Faryab, Afghanistan Faryab, Maimana, 6, Grade girl, 14-year-old allow watch meto news.” not does mother My dying. people and fighting, about because talks it very feel sad Iwatch news“I when 40 38%

48% 50 % 48%

60

70

73% 80

90

10 0 4 KEY FINDINGS 27

0%

official

Government Government

0%

Doctor/ health worker health

3% Village elder Village

5% Teacher

0% Religious figure Religious 8%

Children themselves also were asked through FGDs who they go to help for when exposed to conflict. A majority stated they go to parents, siblings or a relative help for when they experience conflict. informant key interviews indicated thatHowever, parents tend to ignore the psychological impacts of conflict on children, unableand are to effectively help children to cope with common symptomsof trauma. Given that a majority of children go to parents help, for it is imperative that nationaland international child protection actors advocate for allocation of resources to improving the capacity of parents to better help children who traumatised are by conflict. Besides parents, the researchers asked 90 children who they go to help for when they experience conflict.responses Children’s indicate that the majority of them go to their mothers and (82%), assistance, for fathers by (62%) neighbours followed of children 11% and village elders (18%). (19%), stated that they go to other immediate family to friends support. for members and 11% 9% of children go to relatives and another 9% seek out religious figures forby help,teachers (8%).followed A negligible percentage of children approach government officials or doctorsfor help. Comparing the responses of child respondents with those ofthe parents shows that the latter think their children come to them much more than the children say they It do. is therefore important that parents learn Neighbour

14% Friend

15% Relative

14% family member family

94%

Other immediate immediate Other Mother

91% Father 0 10 70 50 20 30 60 40 90 80

100 11-year-old boy, Grade 5, Kart-I-Seh, Kabul, Afghanistan % “I lost my father in a suicide attack“I fathermy a suicide in lost on the Kart-I-Sakhi shrine.a He was swimming When coach. alive, was he day, but to every I used to go school plastic bags, I sell death his since I don’t. day.” every to go school cannot and FIGURE 6: POINT OF REFERRAL FOR HELP AMONG CHILDREN PARENTS’ FROM PERSPECTIVES POINT OF REFERRAL FOR CHILDREN The researchers also studied who children go to for help, including moral support, counselling, physical protection and helping them take to hospitals or doctors, when they experience conflict. reflectedAs of surveyedin Figure 6, 94% parents stated that children mostly go to mothers and fathers, and that the difference between who they specificallyseek As respondentsout is minor. given multiple were response options, other responses that, reveal besides parents, children go to people they know. each mentionedAbout that 14% they go to an immediate family member example a brother, (for grandfather orgrandmother), relativesister, or friend help. for The data further that reveals children do not go to government officials, doctors, public health workers or religious figuresfor help when they exposedare to violence. Additionally, small numbers of children go to neighbours (8%), teachers and village elders (5%) (3%). 28 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE TABLE 5: POINT OF REFERENCE FOR CHILDREN BY GENDER CHILDREN FOR TABLE REFERENCE OF 5: POINT expected is This doctors. or hospitals to them take helping and protection physical counselling, support, moral as such for assistance neighbours and friends to go boys more while for help, elders village and teachers relatives, parents, to refer to tend boys than girls more instance, For variation. reveals some for help ask they who to regard in boys and girls among responses of breakdown The for aresource them. be can they so that children their with communication of channels up open to Boys Girls Gender % CHILDREN AMONG HELP FOR REFERRAL OF 7: POINT FIGURE 100 80 90 40 60 30 20 50 70 10 0

Father 62%

Mother Other immediate 82% 56 69 family member Father (%) 11% 73 91 Mother (%) Relative 11 111 11 Other immediate 9% family (%)

Friend 7 Relatives (%) 11%

Neighbour 18 and government officials for help low.were help for officials government and workers health doctors, out seeking numbers areas, target the in boys and girls both Among conflict. experience they when help seek to neighbours and friends to go can and freedom and mobility have more boys hand, other the On a resource. as parents on rely girls most Hence, areas. these prevailing in beliefs religious conservative more to due Afghanistan, rural in particularly homes, their outside girls of mobility restricted the of because 4 Friends (%) 19% Religious figure 24 13 Neighbours (%) 9%

Teacher 2 0 7 2 9 9 Religious figures (%) 8%

Village elder 13 Teachers (%) 18%

health worker 29 Village elders (%) Doctor/

%1% 1% Government

0 2 Doctors/health

workers (%) official

Government officials (%) 4 KEY FINDINGS 29 4% 3% Don’t know ncerns regarding the quality of the verty and economic hardship is prevalent ck of awareness about the existence of Po among the surveyed households andthey cannotafford the cost of psychosocial counselling services their for children. Co existing services. La services providers. 70%

No (ii) (iii) The research further shows that of the 26% respondents whose children used have psychosocial support/counselling services that believe such services important are rehabilitation for and rapid of childrenrecovery from the effects of being conflict. to exposed The research data highlights that there more are service providers compared in Kabul to theother of parents reported in Kabul target provinces. 61% that psychosocial support exists in their areas, which is higher than the equivalent inSar-e-Pul (30%), This Balkh is to (22%) and Faryab (17%). be expected with being Kabul the capital of the country,with its greater concentration of public and private health facilities, including psychosocial counselling service providers. In the target provinces, do, and the The remaining did not know. 4% respondents cited the following reasons their for lack of access to psychosocial support.children’s (i) 59% 26% Accessible Yes

37% 0

10 70 50 20 30 60 40 90 80

Available Available 100 % FIGURE 8: AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY OF PSYCHOSOCIAL COUNSELLING SERVICES CHILDREN FOR On availability, the data shows that psychosocial support and counselling services restricted, are as just of parents 37% reported the availability of such services in their areas. stated 59% that no psychosocial support/counselling exists in their village and the remaining unsure were 3% about the existence of such service providers at the time of the interview. Regarding children’s access to psychosocial services, the data paints a disconcerting picture. of parents 70% stated that their children do access not to have psychosocial counselling services,responded 26% that they As discussed above, since children demonstrate symptoms of psychosocial distressdue to exposure to conflict, researchthe examined the availability and accessibility of psychosocial counselling services in the target areas. For the of this sake research availability was defined as the existence of psychosocial in counselling the service provider(s) target areas. of service Availability providers does not necessarily mean that children and households have accessto them, because accessibility depends on factors such as geographical distance and economic affordability. AVAILABILITY ANDACCESSIBILITY OF COUNSELLING PSYCHOSOCIAL 30 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE BY PROVINCE SERVICES COUNSELLING PSYCHOSOCIAL OF ACCESSIBILITY AND TABLE 6:AVAILABILITY to a greater extent provided by NGOs. In terms terms In NGOs. provided by extent agreater to are services these and limited, very is providers services counselling psychosocial private and public of availability the level, district at particularly Sar-e-Pul Kabul Faryab Balkh Province in Kabul Province Kabul in home at 10, Hemat*, Accessibility Availability cesblt 36 Accessibility Availability Accessibility Availability Accessibility Availability 21 30 61 10 17 11 22 Yes (21%), (11%), Balkh (10%). Faryab and followed Sar-e-Pul by counselling, psychosocial have to access children their that stating parents 36% of with better Kabul reportedly is access, of 79 68 64 37 80 73 67 76 No 10 22 Don’t know Don’t

2 2 2 9 0 0 PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST STEFANIE PHOTO: 4 KEY FINDINGS 31 927 2,135 2018 861 2017 2,318 926 2,592 927 children 927 lost their lives 46 736 2015 2016 2,104 715 2014 1,761 58-year-old father, Dehmazang, Kabul, Afghanistan Dehmazang, Kabul, 58-year-old father, “I have lived in Kabul for more than more for Kabul in lived “I have it is today.30 years, like not it was and do not day.Crimes We happen every outside to play because children allow kidnappings. of me more It worries attacks.than suicide have police The to protect thefailed Kabul.” people of from 2013 to 2016. As to2016. per the UNAMAfrom 2013 report published in early 2019, and 2,135 were injured the in Thiswere 2018. makes 2018 and 2,135 deadliest year children for in Afghanistan the over with child casualtiescourse of the comprising war, 28% casualties of all in UNAMA 2018. attributes the increase in child casualties to a more than a doubling of child deaths by aerial bombings and an increase in ground engagements, both suicide attacks and non-suicide attacks such as IEDs. The Mission estimates that casualtiesof all 63% are due Casualty and to 24% to ANDSF. AOGs figures particular raise from 2018 concerns about aerial operations by pro-government forces, which caused child casualties492 – of which deaths were 236 and 256 injuredan – increase compared of 85% to increase figures107% in a and the number2017 of 564 2013 1,200 492 2012 821

45 804 557 2011 378 799 2010 Injured

307 2009 423 0

500

1,500 1,000 3,000 Deaths 2,500 2,000 Number of documented child casualties child documented of Number

FIGURE 9: DOCUMENTED OF CASUALTIES CHILDREN IN CONFLICT (2009–2018) In Afghanistan, children up make a significant proportion of civilian casualties. Through a country task force, UNAMA monitors and reports on grave violations against children in conflict, publishing findingsevery sixth months. The datarecent in reportspoint trend to an in upward child casualties AOGs routinelyAOGs claim to target only foreign military and Afghan government personnel and facilities, but their use of indiscriminate violence causes extreme civilian harm, both killing and injuring thousands a detonations like of explosives, Tactics including year. body-worn improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in urban centres and the firing of mortars,rockets and tantamount is civilian-populated areas into grenades disproportionate the and violence, indiscriminate to brunt of which civilians inevitably bear. CHILD DEATHS ANDCHILD INJURIES DEATHS IN THE CONFLICT

The research examined the number of child casualties of the conflict and the places where childrenfeel the most and least safe in their communities. The research also at accessibility looked of quality health services conflict and how impactsaccess to such services target for populations, including children. Impact of conflict on children’s physical health ofImpact conflictchildren’s on 32 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE and witness testimony. and witness evidence obtaining in difficulties to due convictions any of alow prospect –citing prosecutor chief Court’s the by sought –long investigation abandoned a possible Afghanistan war-crimes Court 2019, Criminal April In International the Protocols Additional of the Geneva Convention. Geneva the of Additional Protocols 51 article the of against goes civilians affecting use of indiscriminate violence and disproportionate the Specifically, forces. international by fought and government Afghan the AOG war at with being of virtue in both as defined be to it war qualifies Afghan the of nature The conflict. international and wars civil in parties for warring conduct admissible governing law rights human international with reveals forces non-compliance coalition and ANDSF AOGs well of as as part the on restraint of Lack for Bacha Bazi. Bacha for individuals]. Children are not are safe because used from they them evenheadache but for us, worse are warlords [unauthorised armed government alot and [AOG]. between happens “Fighting isa That road blockages, protests, demonstrations, includes violence political research, this of context the In respectively. 10% at 7% and reported was violence ethnic and children’s Political to safety. threats greatest the as landmines/IEDs and attacks suicide 21% each and children to cited threat amajor as violence sexual consider 24% parents of Additionally, forces. international and ANDSF by mostly out (61%),threat (39%), followed raids night carried by significant most the second as were identified robberies, and abductions including Crimes, this. indicating parents of (70%) thirds two than more children’s to with threat safety, significant most the AOG and remain ANDSF between clashes Armed SAFETY PHYSICAL THREATSKEY TO CHILDREN’S killed. children 34-year-old father,34-year-old Afghanistan Balkh, Sholgara district, night and cannot attend school.”night and cannot attend from 1 January to 31 2019. to March 1January from (150 were children whom 432 and injured) deaths of 582 casualties, 1,773 civilian recorded UNAMA 2018. Overall, in period same the to compared as casualties civilian of number the in a 23% decrease IED attacks during the winter. the during attacks IED afewer of aresult is decrease the that speculates 47 The first quarter of 2019of seen has quarter first The 55 Some children live with the commanders day and day children commanders Some live the with 51 49 49

48 UNAMA UNAMA 50

(89%), and night raids (85%) were reported to be be to (85%) were raids reported night and (89%), clashes armed province, Balkh of district Sholgara the in hand, other the On capital. the in crimes in this, media reports in early 2019 early in reports media this, AOG. Echoing by caused violence and incidents than crime about are concerned more parents that (44%). implies (49%) This clashes armed and attacks followed suicide by for children, threat a major be (86%) to parents the of amajority by reported were kidnappings as such crimes Kabul city, In children. facing threats of types the in provinces target four across variations identified research The and teachers. parents punishment, corporal (vi) in to relation and politicians; and (v) parties political extent alesser to and groups; armed (iv) unauthorised (iii) raids; gangs; night and criminal bombings, aerial clashes, for armed responsible forces, international and (ii) ANDSF landmines/IEDs; attacks, suicide clashes, for armed responsible (i) directly AOG, children’s to including: for risks safety responsible of actors number a identified research the Overall, have in recent increased years, demonstrations of force. Aerial bombings, which into erupts similarly that groups population between tensions ethnic by caused conflict to refers violence ethnic while politicians, and parties political between clashes force of shows armed and personal conflicts arise. conflicts personal when employed strategy primary the is violence which in atmosphere an create can disturbance civil or conflict armed of situations in violence of aprevailing culture Afghanistan, of case the In it. to contribute factors educational and cultural social, of arange but schools, in children of punishment humiliating and physical for the accounts factor single No settings. school in punishment corporal to due schools to going in interested less become however,children, to tend children reveals that with discussion adanger. poses it that in-depth The indicating 3% parents of children’s just to with safety arisk be to considered not generally is punishment corporal children’s parents, According to safety. to threat greatest the be to parents of 8% about 53 52 are reported by by are reported 54 indicated a spike a indicated

4 KEY FINDINGS 33

punishment (%) punishment Corporal Corporal 2

3% Ethnic violence (%) violence Ethnic 1 4 7 3 33

7%

Corporal punishment Corporal Political violence (%) violence Political 2 1 0 0

24 10 Ethnic violence Ethnic

10% Sexual violence (%) violence Sexual 6 6 9 5

37 32 30 24 Political violence Political

24% Crimes (%) Crimes

21 39 86 77 61 Sexual violence Sexual

61%

Night raids (%) raids Night Crimes 4 67 34 85 39 armed clashes the are greatest threat to children’s and crimessafety, by night raids followed (67%), The fact(39%). that in provinces armed clashes and night raids considered are more threatening than suicide bombings, as compared to the perceptions in Kabul, is expected, as suicide attacks more are frequent in the capital.

39% Landmines/ ieds (%) ieds Landmines/

18 32 29

Night raids Night Suicide attacks (%) attacks Suicide 9

49 24 21 21

Landmines/IEDs 21% 21% (%) bombings Aerial 5 4 3 5 7 8

17

Suicide attacks Suicide 8% (%) clashes Armed

74 93 89 44 70 Aerial bombings Aerial 70% 0

10 70 50 20 30 60 40 90 80

100 clashes Armed % FIGURE MAJOR 10: CHILDREN’S TO THREATS PHYSICAL SAFETY IN SURVEYED AREAS Sar-e-Pul Faryab Province Kabul Overall Balkh the greatest safety, risks while the to children’s risks posed by suicide attacks (24%) and crimes reportedly are compared(21%) lower to Kabul. In the Maimana and districts Pashtun Kot of Faryab province, crimes (77%) and are armed clashes (74%) the biggest security concerns parents for as regards their children, most while fear 34% nights raids and 9% suicide attacks. of parents, to According 93% TABLE 7: MAJOR CHILDREN’S 7: TO THREATS TABLE PHYSICAL SAFETY PROVINCE BY 34 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE children feel the most insecure at checkpoints (49%), checkpoints at insecure most the feel children places, unsafe of (27%). terms In areas recreational followed place (30%), by safest second the be to were reported Schools children. ten of out for eight place safest the as are perceived homes show that responses Their villages. their scared in most and safest the feel they where FGDs and interviews individual through asked were also Children safe. feel children where places are other no there and schools, homes than other that show figures These (20%). areas recreational in and buildings government near insecure feel children their that 26% stated checkpoints. at and marketplaces in unsafe feel children believe that 35% parents of (55%). market the way to addition, In their on (64%), school way to and their scared on most feel children that stated parents of A majority (11%). playgrounds and parks as such areas followed (34%), school by home, recreational and at safe feel children that 81% stated parents of government and in markets. buildings, checkpoints, government near well as as markets and schools way to the on insecure and schools in and home at safe feel children that shows data The safest. the feel they where places well as scared as most feel children communities in were where asked Parents SAFETY CHILDREN’S FOR PLACES RISKY AND SAFE Near government buildings FIGURE 11: SAFE AND RISKY PLACES FOR CHILDREN FROM PARENTS’ PERSPECTIVES FROM PARENTS’ CHILDREN FOR PLACES 11: RISKY FIGURE AND SAFE Safe Safe On the way to market to way the On On the way to school to way the On Recreational areas

At checkpoints In the market the In Risky At school At home

0

0% 0% 1% 2% 3% 10

11% 11% 13% 20

20% 26% 30

34% 35% 35% they experience staring, stalking, verbal abuse, abuse, verbal stalking, staring, experience they According harassment. to female participants, FGD sexual to attributed is home the outside boys than (11%).for boys safe less feel girls that fact The equivalent the as high as twice than more is which markets, in unsafe feel 24% girls of Furthermore, (36% boys respectively). 29% to and compared (51%) school way to their (31%) market the and (13%). boys to on compared unsafe feel girls More unsafe parks find (20%) girls more Similarly, (22%). girls to compared safe areas recreational consider (69%), (31%) boys to boys more while compared (91%) girls more safe home example, For consider unsafe. and safe consider they places of terms in boys and girls between are variations There for AOG. targets remain buildings government Likewise, attacks. for AOG targets are ANDSF, priority by who are maintained because they insecure at checkpoints (33%). buildings feel government Children near and (43%) school from and to route followed the by 40 14-year-old girl, Saayad District, Sar-e-Pul Afghanistan Sar-e-Pul District, Saayad girl, 14-year-old of rooms.”corners We outside. than hide in the better is safe in our isstill home village, but no place out, breaks fighting “When

50 %

55% 6 0

64% 70

8 0

81% 90

10 0 4 KEY FINDINGS 35

0 Others (%) Others 10 0 4

buildings (%) buildings

90 Near government government Near 42 24

80%

0 (%)

8 At checkpoints checkpoints At 42 56

70 (%) market On the way to to way the On 31 29

0

6 In the market (%) market the In 11 24

49% % 50 school (%) school

43% On the way to to way the On 9 0 0 2 2 0 7 2 0 4 0 0 51 36

40

AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY FACILITIES HEALTH OF The research confirms the existence of health facilities in a majority of SCI impact areas across the four provinces. Field observation shows that hospitals and clinics exist at the and provincial district levels, mainly operated by MoPH and quantitative NGOs. The international and national data also corroborates that health services are 33% (%) school At 9 7 27

30% 30%

30

27%

areas (%) areas Recreational 13 31 33 20 22

18% 20

17% At home (%) home At 0 0

69 91 10 8% 8% 3% 2% 1% 1% 0% 0% 0%

0

Other Boys Girls Gender Girls Boys At home At At school At Risky In the market At checkpointsAt

Recreational areas Recreational On the way to school On the way to market Safe FIGURE SAFE AND 12: RISKY PLACES FOR CHILDREN Risky places Type of place Type places Safe Near government buildings government Near On the other hand, more boys feel at risk near buildings government and checkpointspolice (56%) and respectively). 24% compared to girls (42% (42%), A reason this for could be that boys spend more time outside the home and as a resultcome across checkpoints and government offices more frequently, while girls tend to spend most of their time at home. having pictures taken of them and other types of spaces. public in harassment TABLE 8: SAFETABLE AND RISKY PLACES FOR CHILDREN GENDER BY 36 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE medical equipment in hospitals and clinics is a is clinics and hospitals in equipment medical of availability the (27%). Similarly, Sar-e-Pul and (49%), Balkh Faryab (23%) to compared staff, support other and nurses doctors, medical qualified have clinics and hospitals that stated Kabulin city parents of (68%) thirds two than more instance, For provinces. Sar-e-Pul and Faryab Balkh, in particularly for populations, aconcern is services their of quality the exist, facilities health While exist. services health that stated parents (41%) half than less where province, interviewed of Sar-e-Pul is exception The provinces. Faryab and Kabul, Balkh, in extent aconsiderable available to FIGURE 13: QUALITY OF HEALTH SERVICES IN TARGET IN HEALTH 13: OF SERVICES AREAS QUALITY FIGURE

42-year-old mother, Faryab, Afghanistan Pashtun-Kot, nothing.” than isstill better it but it, isalot there say of in corruption that not provide and good people medicine, do They from comes Maimana. doctor clinic isclosed because the for weeks the isfighting, there and when week, for comes who 1–2 a days one doctor has it away But from here byfoot. minutes is40 It are sick. they when We ours. near take children there isasmall“There clinic in avillage % 100 Balkh Balkh 80 90 40 60 30 20 50 70 10 0

98% Faryab Availability 75% 94%

41% Kabul Kabul

49% Sar-e-Pul Qualified 23% staff staff 68% 27% To offset this potentially skewing data, the research research the skewing data, To potentially this offset perpetrators. by of retaliation to fears due conflict the in facilities health of targeting the underreported have might respondents whether speculates team research the question, this around sensitivity the Given interview. the of time the at were undecided while are not, they 17% 75%that believe conflict, the in targeted get do clinics and hospitals that stated parents of 8% About years. three last the over conflict the in targeted have been clinics or hospitals any whether studied also research The HEALTHON SERVICES CONFLICT OF EFFECTS ADVERSE health facilities have quality medicine. have quality facilities health believe that Sar-e-Pul and Faryab in 6% respectively Kabul in (41%). case the being same 13% Just and the nearly with medicines, have quality facilities health province believe that Balkh in parents 43% of About Sar-e-Pul. and Faryab in particularly all provinces, across four issue asubstantial as perceived is medicine of quality that finding facilities, health provided in medicine of quality looked the at also research The facilities. health in equipment appropriate of existence the reporting respectively 12% only with 11% provinces, and Sar-e-Pul and Faryab in particularly for parents, concern of point Appropriate medical 49% equipment 12% 44% 11% 43% Appropriate medicine 13% 41% 6% 4 KEY FINDINGS 37 6 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 3 7 Number of health facilities targeted 10 40 People are afraid to go to health facilities 51% 56 Province Kapisa Maydan Wardak Baghlan Ghazni Paktika Paktia Kunar Kunduz Sar-e-Pul Daikundi Kandahar Helmand Urzgan Herat Total TABLE 9: HEALTH FACILITIES TARGETED FACILITIES TARGETED 9: HEALTH TABLE PROVINCE BY People are forced to go to urban areas for health facilities 24% Women dying at home during birth during 9% home at dying Women Medical staff are afraid to go to health facilities 16% FIGURE 14: IMPACT OFFIGURE CONFLICT IMPACT SERVICES ON 14: HEALTH Parents further were asked to share their perspectives the on how conflict impacts hospitals and clinics when they get targeted. 48% stated that people to afraid are go to health facilities because they might be targeted in armed clashes, suicide attacks or aerial stated bombings. that 15% medical staff often are absent from their duties as they fear their for safety. own The remaining 6% reported that people from their areasto forced are go to bigger cities and urban centres when seeking health services as hospitals and clinics in their vicinity either are closed, dangerous to visit or offer services. substandard According toAccording this data, a total of 40 hospitals and clinics across the entire country been have impacted by the conflict. The time periodfor the hospitals affected is not clear from the MoPH data. In terms of the four surveyed provinces, no health facilities beenhave affected in Kabul, Balkh and Faryab provinces, and one case is recorded of a hospital impacted in Sar-e-Pul. team also collected data from MoPH on the number of hospitals and clinics targeted and affected in the conflict. The Ministrykeeps records of hospitals and clinicswhich witnessed have one or more of damagethe to infrastructure (i) following: of the health facility during the conflict; ambulance(s) (ii) destroyed deaths, (iii) or taken by AOG; injuries and violence to health personnel; use of health (iv) facilities during fighting. 38 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE reported that schools do not exist in their areas. areas. their in exist not do schools that reported 6% and Faryab in 15% of Sar-e-Pul in parents areas. these in schools of absence no indicated Kabul in Balkh and parents of responses The communities. their in boys and girls for both exist schools that confirmed all provinces across four (91%) parents 15,of Figure in amajority depicted As areas. target the in boys and for girls schools of existence the on information collected research The SCHOOLS OF AVAILABILITY on education children’sto access conflict of Impact IN SCHOOLS IN ENROLMENT CHILDREN’S to and from school. In Sar-e-Pul, 73% of boys and and 73% boys of Sar-e-Pul, In fromschool. and to way the on harassment to vulnerability and beliefs conservative to due communities and families from support of lack including girls, of lower enrolment for reasons of anumber cited respondents The (40%). for girls lowest rate the but (80%), for boys enrolment highest second the has Balkh provinces. other the to compared towards education attitudes conservative less to attributable be likely to is which (73%), girls and (87%) boys both among percentage highest the Kabul has enrolment, school of terms In FIGURE 15: AVAILABILITY OF SCHOOLS IN THE TARGET THE IN AREAS SCHOOLS OF 15: AVAILABILITY FIGURE % 100 Boys 80 90 40 60 30 20 50 70 10 0

0% Girls Girls 2% Balkh Balkh 98%

0% Both Both 0%

No school Faryab 0% 94% 6% 3% 4% Kabul SCHOOL FACILITIES toilets for girls and boys are much less available, available, less are much boys and for girls toilets water. drinking clean of Separate availability the 54% and confirmed have are toilets enrolled children their which in schools the that stated parents 64% of Furthermore, purposes. for security vital are considered which walls, have perimeter areas their in schools the 65%According to parents, of enrolling in school. from children hinder not does documentation civil lack of Education, of Ministry the at official senior better. is a According to education to access and lower comparatively is poverty conservative, are less attitudes social where settings, urban to compared were prevalent more areas rural in causes These education. quality to access of lack and work; with conflict hardship, economic attitudes; conservative purposes; for military used or attacked have been schools that including insecurity, as school in enrolled are not children some that the causes key identified data qualitative The 60%. is girls 70% among is and boys among rate enrolment the where province, Faryab in similar is case the and schools, in are enrolled girls of 60% 93% 0% 1% Sar-e-Pul 57 0% 85% 15% 1% Overall 2% 91% 6% 4 KEY FINDINGS 39 0 10

90 Adequate Adequate in lighting classrooms, toilets and hallways (%) 13 3 7 6 7 87%

80% 0 8 73% 73% Toilets tailored to the needs of children with disabilities (%) 3 0 6 9 6

70% 70

60% 60% 0 6 Separate toilets for girls and boys (%) 13 15 20 6 15

“Our school does not have a does have school “Our not laboratory. Chemistry favourite is my experiment cannot subject, we [but] there is no because studies] [in our laboratory. I hope you [SCI] help will this in regard.” school our Afghanistan Maimana, Faryab, girl, 16-year-old % 50 Toilets (%) 63 53 73 55 64

40% 40 Clean Clean drinking water (%) 43 39 62 53 54

30

20 Perimeter Perimeter (%) wall 51 79 54 65

10 School building (%) 7364 58 81 72 75

0

ltural environment in the target areas, the Girls Girls Girls Girls Boys Boys Boys Boys

cu ‑ FIGURE CHILDREN’S 16: ENROLMENT IN SCHOOLS RATE GENDER BY Balkh Faryab Kabul Sar-e-Pul Province Balkh Faryab Kabul Sar-e-Pul Overall TABLE 10: SCHOOL 10: PROVINCE FACILITIES BY TABLE lack of separate toilets boys for and girls in schools may also discourage parents from sending their daughters to according 94% to school. Moreover, of parents, toilets tailored to the needs of children as facilities are children for with disabilities and adequate lighting in toilets. 10, As shown in Table of parents statedonly 15% that separate toilets girlsfor and boys exist, while reported 85% conservative the Considering opposite. the socio 40 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE across Afghanistan between 2013 2017. and between Afghanistan across schools on attacks 180 documented has (GCPEA) Attacks from Education Protect to Coalition Global the conflict, ongoing the of course the In crimes. war 1977 as of qualify Protocols may and Additional 1949 of Conventions Geneva the violates their and premises, Targeting are civilian which schools, of EDUCATION CHILDREN’S IMPACTING CONFLICT OF SCALE sector. the in working NGOs and INGOs well as as Disabled and Martyrs of Ministry formed newly the and MoE particularly government, Afghan fromthe action and attention warranting area an is This require. disabilities with children that facilities have not the do areas the researched in schools most that finds research The doors. sized adequately and for wheelchairs allow to sizes washroom larger features, certain have to need disabilities with children to adapted Toilets schools. in exist not do disabilities with in their area. The provincial breakdown reveals provincial breakdown The area. their in aconflict in targeted been had school no knowledge their of best the to that stated 38% remaining the knowand not did 10% affirmative. the in responded parents of 50% than more years, three last the in or AOG ANDSF by conflict during used or targeted been had area their in schools whether asked When

% PERSPECTIVE 17: FROM PARENTS’ TARGETED CONFLICT FIGURE IN SCHOOLS 100 Yes Yes 80 90 40 60 30 20 50 70 10 0

No No Balkh Balkh 27% 73%

Don’t know Don’t Faryab 68% 18% 14% 58 Kabul Kabul closures of schools, forced curriculum changes on on changes forced curriculum schools, of closures permanent or temporary injured, or killed being students and personnel school infrastructure, school to damage and burning include schools affects AOG how 2013. of since conflict Instances and government Afghan the between conflict ongoing 1,153 the in that affected have been schools indicate records Ministry’sinternal The conflict. the in affected and targeted schools of number the on fromMoE requested was information underreporting, of issue suspected the counter to To order in and schools. targeted of triangulate, number the have underreported might respondents question, this surrounding sensitivity the Given provinces.other the to compared less times three around a conflict, in used or targeted have been schools that stated (67%). 23% parents of Kabul, In Sar-e-Pul (68%), and (73%), followed Faryab by Balkh of district Sholgara the are from conflict in schools of use or targeting the reporting parents of number highest the that 22% 64% 14% 13-year-old boy, Pashtun Kot, Balkh, Afghanistan Balkh, Kot, Pashtun boy, 13-year-old isvery it summer bad situation.”in the small and we are under trees, studying place forour are classes studying, very school because we have not enough “Also government can make better us Sar-e-Pul Sar-e-Pul 28% 67% 5% Overall 38% 10% 52% 4 KEY FINDINGS 41

PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST 377 2018 178 2017 318 2016 in the number to 178. 2018 was thein the year 2018 number with to the 178. highest number (377) of schools targeted since to According keepingrecord key began in 2013. informants, the use of school buildings as polling stations during parliamentary the 2018 election is the primary reason behind the uptick in thenumber of schools The targeted MoE recognises in that year. the adverse impacts of using schools as polling stations and plans to advocate with the Office of the the Independent Election and Commission President (IEC) to use mosques instead of schools as polling stations presidential in the elections. 2019 time At of writing, the IEC is resisting this option. 90 2015 159 2014 31 2013 Hajira*, 10, in community-based education class in Kabul Province 0

100 200 300 400 Number of schools impacted by conflict by impacted schools of Number FIGURE NUMBER 18: OF SCHOOLS CONFLICT BY IMPACTED AS PER MOE’S (2013–2018) RECORDS INTERNAL the part of AOG, use of school buildings fighting, for and others. The data a zigzag show trend in the number of schools targeted year every since 2013. The respondents interviewed this for research unablewere to identify the causes of this trend. The number lowest of schools targeted in was 31 which 2014 then in 2014. increased2013, to 159 was the year of the withdrawal of a large part of the international security forces and the Afghan government taking on a greater in security role theprovision. number In 2015 of schools targeted in the conflict dropped to 90, but increased more saw a decrease than 2017 three-fold in 2016. to 318 42 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE TABLE 11: TARGETED BY SCHOOLS PROVINCE that suggests this AOGby 2018. Unsurprisingly, in captured were provinces partially Ghazni and Farah of 2015 in capitals 2016, twice and the falling while Kunduz with AOG by years, recent in attacked (115).provinces have provinces been three All province (134), followed Kunduz (122) by Farah and are Ghazni in schools impacted of majority The Province Kabul Kapisa Parwan Maydan WardakMaydan Logar Nangarhar Laghman Panjshir Baghlan Bamyan Ghazni Paktika Paktia Khost Kunar Nuristan Badakhshan Takhar Kunduz Samangan Balkh Sar-e-Pul Ghor Daikundi Urozgan Zabul Kandahar Jawzjan Faryab Helmand Badghis Herat Nimruz Farah Total 2013 31 0 1 2 1 0 1 0 0 4 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 4 1 3 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 3 1 0 2014 159 13 10 10 14 16 17 4 3 4 3 3 3 9 9 4 2 4 2 0 0 0 6 2 1 2 5 0 3 0 2 2 1 2 2 5 3 9 7 0 2 3 1 2 5 0 2 0 1 0 0 2 1 1 7 4 2 3 3 0 1 0 2 2015 90 7 4 5 7 0 2 59 19 in Balkh. 19 Balkh. in and Sar-e-Pul followed in 24 by Kabul Faryab, and in conflict by affected have been each schools 46 research, covered provinces this in the For closure. and infrastructure school to damage through specifically schools, of numbers large affect to tend AOG by provincial capitals on attacks large-scale 2016 318 24 20 90 26 53 19 6 3 1 4 5 2 8 0 8 5 0 0 6 4 2 6 2 2 3 1 2 1 1 5 3 1 4 1 2017 178 22 10 14 10 3 1 5 1 3 0 5 2 9 4 6 0 1 8 9 6 6 3 4 3 1 1 1 1 6 9 8 7 7 2 2018 377 22 18 93 15 10 19 70 11 13 15 11 13 0 5 6 1 3 5 7 1 0 1 3 8 5 6 2 0 1 0 0 4 8 1 Total 1,153 134 122 115 46 55 24 46 36 43 66 22 14 18 32 30 15 46 72 10 16 52 19 19 13 19 18 17 11 1 3 3 4 5 7 4 KEY FINDINGS 43 12 31 47 17 91 79 21 36 62 63 36 60 34 50 95 40 20 24 83 30 50 64 88 119 129 157 120 196 132 126 196 135 108 236 2,787 Total 1 8 4 0 0 1 0 2 6 5 8 3 1 0 1 7 5 3 1 6 0 5 13 11 11 15 13 19 70 10 15 93 18 22 377 2018 2 7 7 8 9 6 1 1 1 1 3 4 3 6 6 9 8 1 0 6 4 9 2 0 5 3 1 3 1 5 14 10 10 22 178 2017 1 4 1 5 3 1 1 2 1 3 2 2 6 9 2 4 6 0 0 5 8 0 8 2 5 3 1 4 6 19 53 26 20 24 237 2016 Nangarhar (196), Maydan Wardak (157), Logar (157), Maydan Wardak Nangarhar (196), Laghman (119) Helmand (120), Farah (129), (135), provinces. This is notand (108) surprising Kunduz given that of the all mentioned provinces have suffered large-scale attacks by AOG. Nangarhar has seen an uptick in the number of attackslargely due to the of some fall districts to AOG. 0 0 3 7 1 2 2 9 5 2 5 0 4 0 2 0 4 7 4 4 3 9 4 90 2015 60 0 2 8 0 3 4 2 0 5 0 9 0 6 3 6 0 4 2 9 2 7 0 13 13 19 14 19 31 21 19 15 59 39 53 70 49 24 95 23 28 24 23 20 24 108 862 2014 0 1 3 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 4 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 2 1 1 0 30 2013 Total Farah Nimruz Herat Badghis Helmand Faryab Jawzajn Kandahar Zabul Urzgan Daikundi Ghor Sar-e-Pul Balkh Samangan Kunduz Takhar Badakhshan Nuristan Kunar Khost Paktia Paktika Ghazni Baghlan Bamyan Panjshir Laghman Nangarhar Logar Parwan Maydan Wardak Kapisa Kabul Province MoE also keeps records of school staff (principals, teachers who either have and guards) lost their lives or been injured in the conflict. In the last six years, a total of 2,787 school staff casualties have been documented, with the highest number (862) and in 2016 by 237 followed recorded in 2014, in The 2018. 377 highest number of school staff casualties has been by in followed Ghazni (236), TABLE 12: SCHOOL STAFF CASUALTIES SCHOOL 12: STAFF TABLE 44 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE assassination of school staff in the conflict. the in staff school of assassination 17% and materials to learning basic of alack to 18% pointed addition, In learning. on effects negative with study, to there go schools destroyed from children when overcrowding schools remaining of is consequence winter.during oft-reported Another particularly conditions, weather harsh in study to are forced children are destroyed, buildings school when that stated further 25% parents of respectively. 32% according to 26% and rates parents of dropout and absence high to leads conflict noticeably, More mosques. or centres community homes, private trees, under spaces open in or roofs, without buildings school damaged in are study forced to children are targeted, schools when that 35% stated Another cases. the of most in –temporarily schools closurein of results conflict said that parents of 58% are attacked. schools when impacted is education how asked children’s were subsequently both or or AOG ANDSF either by and/or conflicts in used are targeted schools that reported who Parents EDUCATION CHILDREN’S ON IMPACTS ADVERSE CONFLICT OF

Closure of schools % FIGURE 19: WAYS IN WHICH CONFLICT AFFECTS CHILDREN’S EDUCATION 100 80 90 40 60 30 20 50 70 10 0

alternative locations 58% Classes held in

High dropout rate 35%

High absence rate 26% 32%

harsh weather Enduring 25% learning materials Lack of basic its efforts are constrained by a shortage of funds. funds. of ashortage by are constrained efforts its Ministry, the According to schools. on attacks against (GCPEA) fromAttack Education Protect to Coalition Global the of operationalisation an Framework, Safety School the finalising is Education of Ministry Afghan the writing, of At time facilities. required the with provide and them schools protect to measures take necessary to government Afghan the to appealed children The displacement. to due or school attend to would allow not them families their because either conflict, to due out dropped had who schools their in students of examples cited further They furniture. and notebooks books, as such materials learning basic of lack the and conflict to due schools of closure the with voiced frustration children FGDs In 14-year-old boy, Sholgara, Afghanistan Balkh, of fighting.” not allow because go outside meto is closed, does because my mother schoolclosed. at when home Istay school is the when my miss friends “I 18%

No toilets 6%

Overcrowded

classrooms 22% sexual harassment

Exposure to

Assassination of 5%

school staff 17% 4 KEY FINDINGS 45 0 10

90

0 8

70

0 79% 6 79% 86% 90%

% 50 minimum working, age for children between the can work under the conditions and 17 ages of 15 that the is work not harmful to children, takes less than hours 35 per week and is some form of vocational training. The labour law prohibits from working.children below the age of 14 and four across provinces, all In terms of gender, more boys than girls work. For example, of 27% boys in the Sholgara district of Balkh province reportedly work, which is almost twice the rate for of boys in Faryab Similarly, province 31% girls (15%). work, approximately three times the number of In Kabul, the variation between boys girls (11%). and girls is significant almostas six times more than girls working. are (3%) However, boys (17%) in Sar-e-Pul the province difference between boys and girls working and 12% is relatively small at 17% respectively. In terms of the nature of work, girls tend to largely work in home-based carpet weaving, handcrafts and to some extent in agricultural activities, while boys as work street vendors, shoemakers, restaurant workers, retail workers and in carpet weaving outsidethe home.

40

30

20 stipulates as the 18 61

21% 10 21% Not working Not 14%

10%

0

e-Pul Balkh Kabul Working Working Faryab Faryab

Sar- FIGURE 20: PREVALENCE AREAS IN TARGET OF CHILDREN WORKING The of research children in indicates that 14% the surveyed in someform areas of involved are work. The highest numbers of children working reportedwere in Balkh each, and Faryab with 21% The by (10%). Sar-e-Pul and Kabul followed (14%) work is home-based carpet weaving, working as street vendors, agriculture and shoemaking. It warrants mention that the fact of children working does not qualify them as being engaged in child labour to according Afghan legislation. While labourAfghanistan’s law PREVALENCE OF CHILDREN WORKING

This section highlights the of children prevalence working, and those who classify Form asof Worst Child Labour (WFCL). The information presented here will enable the Afghan government, SCI and development international and other national interventions programmatic partners develop to aimed at combating child labour and WFCL in the targetareas. Effects of economic hardship on children 46 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE ventilation, inadequate work space and lighting, lighting, and work space inadequate ventilation, insufficient temperatures, extreme noise, loud spaces, dust-filled including conditions, hazardous province workunder Balkh in working children of child labour. child of form worst the considered children” is of morals or safety health, the harm likely to is out, carried is it which in circumstances the or nature its by “which, work ILOWFCL, convention’sthe of definition Law. Labor In Afghan 182 no convention the and Organization Labour International 3of Article both according to are involved children WFCL which in to extent the and whether assessed research The 14 of age the below children working. from prohibits law labour The training. vocational of form some is and week, per 35 hours than less consumes children, to harmful not work is the that conditions the under 15 of ages the 17 and between are allowed work to labour. child in engaged being Children as them qualify not does working children of fact mere the legislation, Afghan According to work. children their let to parents forces cases many in families by endured hardship economic of severity The (WFCL) LABOUR CHILD OF WORST OF FORM PREVALENCE FIGURE 21: PREVALENCE OF CHILDREN WORKING IN TARGET AREAS BY TARGET IN GENDER WORKING AREAS CHILDREN 21: OF PREVALENCE FIGURE % 40 30 20 10 0

62 Gi The data suggest that 10% all of that suggest data The 15% rls Balkh Balkh

B 27% oys oys

Gi 11% Faryab rls

B 31% oys oys their children work 35 hours or more per week. per more or work35 hours children their that 5% and stating workenvironments hazardous in work children their that stating 7% with education, children’s their workon of impacts adverse the 14% about spoke province, respondents of that children work 35 hours or more. In Sar In more. or work35 hours children that 2% and stating environments unsafe in working children children’s 21% education, reported who workimpacts that believing 24% respondents of with involved children of WFCL, in extent highest second have the to Kabul appears schooling. their affects adversely working that 24% haveand stated 31% work environments, workplace dangerous in more, or 35 hours province are working the in working children 10% province. all of the Faryab in highest was involved children of WFCL in extent The per week. more or 35 hours province are working the in However, work. to due classes children the of none for homework, missing classes and arriving late to energy or time adequate leaving worknot of result as a low grades studies, for time insufficient classes, in tired feeling children as such ways, different in children’s with education workinterferes that stated parents of 7% work. night-time and tools sharp

Gi 3% rls Kabul

B 17% oys oys

Gi 12% Sar-e-Pul rls

B 17% oys oys ‑ e ‑ Pu l 4 KEY FINDINGS 47

PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST 14% 24% 24% education 7% Work interfering with 7% 21% 31% conditions Sar-e-Pul 10% Working in hazardous hazardous in Working

Kabul 5%

2% 10% Faryab Faryab 35 hours or more 0%

0

10 20 30 40

Balkh % Afif*, 8, student in a community-based education class in Kabul Province FIGURE 22: PREVALENCE AREAS IN TARGET OF WFCL 48 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE neglect, and bodily harm, according to UNHCR. UNHCR. according to harm, bodily and neglect, abuse, of are risk at and healthcare and education to right their fromaccessing are restricted children Displaced go unmitigated. psychosocial protection and physical their to risks that means MoRR of failure institution-wide the children, displaced For MoRR. of function intended the thwarts basis acontinuous on information gather to inability an as worrying, particularly as out stands mechanism collection data asystematic of absence the ministry, policy-making apurely is and powers executive no has MoRR that Given populations. displaced for actions responsive design to key mandate its fulfil to able being Ministry for the a prerequisite system, analysis and collection have adata to yet is (MoRR) Repatriation and Refugees of Ministry The and of design interventions. inform policy-making place to in systems information patchy less or have more others while scale, in egregious appears information of paucity this ministries, certain For children’s of Afghanistan. in state the well-being on data reliable of lack aconsiderable is There services childprotection of delivery on impact the and its lack reliable data The of

PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST nature, with “less information about children”. about information “less with nature, ageneral of information collect databases these of both official, aMoPH According to diseases. on notify place to in system WarningEarly (DEW) Disease the has also Ministry The basis. quarterly a on (HMIS) System Information Management aHealth through information gathers MoPH information. actionable and reliable timely, of absence the in pronounced further then is delivery in service difficulty This official from the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH). Health Public of Ministry the from official an according to challenge, aparticular is around move who families displaced with up following of process The present. is data even when deliver to difficult are extremely children of needs protection labour; ix) injury; and x) and ix) detention. injury; labour; viii) child practices; harmful and violence vii) physical vi) groups; trafficking; armed by v) recruitment iv) mental disorders and psychological distress; rights; legal basic iii) to access of lack caregivers; from ii) separation exploitation; and violence of: i) sexual risk are at children displaced Specifically, Kabul Province Kabul in afriend with chess plays activitist, achild 10, Yalda, 63 Therefore, child child Therefore,

65

64

4 KEY FINDINGS 49 Developing a deeper understanding of children’s conditions is necessary effective for and efficient service delivery. With limited resources available there is a particular need to be acutely of aware the needs of children in order to targeted develop interventions thatthe will have intended impact on children in or affected by conflict. Considering the inability of some ministries to collect reliable data, and with the limited resources available, it is the all more crucial that NGOs find waysto empower communities and families to ensure the safety of their children and to help them obtain the tools they need to An do so. example could be through promotion of community-based protection mechanisms via existing structures such as CDCs. FAMILIES Currently, families lack many of the tools needed to mitigate the effects of violence and conflict and effectiveprovide protection. Findings from this research that show families, specifically mothers, of comfort a source are children for when they are exposed families to conflict and violence. However, do the not have tools to adequately respond to the needs of children, in the first instance over and time. Secondly, know we that a majority of parents, particularly mothers, not are literate. Therefore, in-person capacity building needs to be delivered to families that so they can be equipped with the tools to administer psychological first aid and continue to foster the right environment for children from their to recover traumatic experiences time.over Families must also understand what is the most effective environment and encourage the most useful behaviours. For example, an environment where children can talk through their experiences can alleviate stress cortisol and lower levels. Other toolscan be developed within the household to ensure children safe in are and outside the home. For example, disaster risk management training can teach parents to how best response develop plans and practiced drills that so children can quickly thetake most appropriate action. Parents can work with their children to solidify the fastest and safest routes home when for fighting breaks out.Parents, if equipped with adequate knowledge, can teach HOW FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES COMMUNITIES FAMILIES, HOW CAN AND PROVIDERS SERVICE CHILDREN PROTECT 66 In the absence of 67

68 For monitoring, registration and tracking of children in or affected by conflict, the Ministry of Education has since 2008 had the Education Management Information System (EMIS) which captures data of schools affected by emergencies such as intensifiedconflict and natural disasters floodinglike or drought. The EMIS data is made up of data which MoE receives from international organisations and INGOs, together with provincial- datalevel collected by ministerial staff every 6–7 months. Though multiple data sourcesallow triangulationfor and greater accuracy, provincial data is only collected by the Ministry twice a year, resulting in lag. Ministry staff cognisant are of the vulnerability and reportedly are working towards timely monitoring. more credible and triangulated data, monitoring and data, and triangulated monitoring and credible non-government both and government evaluating interventions child for protection is not possible. And in the absence of these, improvements to extant service delivery will rely on non-evidence-based considerations, introducing risks arbitrariness, of responsiveness. of lack and corruption The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MoLSA) similarly does comprehensive not have information on child labour in Afghanistan. to According one INGO, it used to routinely requests make to MoLSA information, for but the organisation ceased these because MoLSA data rise gave to concerns qualityover and accuracy. In addition to its HMIS and DEW systems, MoPH appears to rely the for gathering of information on Child Protection Action Networks and (CPANs) shuras.local Through the latter and Family Health Action groups, MoPH is able to elicit the views of parents the on implementation programming. of The official interviewed pointed out thatfor the design phase, MoPH will not consult parents through shuras, but instead rely on existing data. Considering that such data is of a general nature as opposed to specific to children, health interventions likely are less responsive to the specific needs of children in or affected by conflict. Consulting with children is out of the question MoPH for due to the perception recommendationsthat children’s will be more about personal benefit. “If a clinic is to be built, children will thesay ‘build clinic near to my house.’” It follows from thisIt follows that MoPHis not implementing any interventions directed specifically at the protectionneeds ofchildren in conflict. 50 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE at school and in community spaces. By virtue of the the of virtue By spaces. community in and school at for children environments safer build can they that so training aid first psychological requires leaders, community and teachers particularly community, entire the Therefore, for example. school, at safe feel children of 30% Only safe. feel children where few are very places there home, the of Outside COMMUNITIES behind. fall further not do children so that home at use can they materials with equipped be should closures. school of times in useful very are also programmes radio Educational periods. for these useful be might applications and software curriculum-related with tablets for example, gap, this bridge to here Technology Education of use pertinent The be may are closed. schools when gap the bridge to order in home, at learning facilitate can they so that schools from building capacity require also Parents children. of lives save can the planning Proper household. the within and community the in go to places appropriate most the children their Province Kabul in member community Abdul*, restraint during military operations in civilian centres. operations military during restraint show to ANDSF with and attacks of launching for the homes private using from them dissuade to fighters AOG with advocate can they Similarly, hospitals. and schools target not to soldiers ANA deployed and local fighters AOG influencing by Government) (AOG conflict and of parties the role between bridging a play also can influencers community-level in local communities, enjoy they and respect influence

PHOTO: ROYA HEYDARI/JOURNALIST 69 If this is not possible, parents and families families and parents possible, not is this If children to process their trauma. their process to children help can outlets Creative distress. psychosocial by affected adults and for children results promising show for example, programmes, music and Drama fromadults. support receive and issues and concerns their express can children where spaces community into put be should Resources protection. their for routes alternative them finding spaces, avoid to these children encourage and go to for children places safe least the of maps make to worktogether also can Communities adult. one least at by accompanied groups, small are walked children in where schedules community create can parents example, For possible. is it extent the face to children risks the address to worktogether should Communities school. from and to transit in safe least the feel Children and ethnicities. groups social different across coherence better enhancing self for helpful are similarly football or for cricket safety of their children. children. their of safety for the concern have less might and better plan to would able be families basis, aregular on them to care came health quality If for families. useful be would schedules set with clinics health Mobile staff. medical quality of lack and dangers transit of fear to due clinics health access often not do Families SERVICE PROVIDERS ‑ con 71

fidence, fidence, resolutionconflict and 70 Sports facilities facilities Sports 5 Gaps in and barriers to effective child protection services

The gaps and barriers we discuss in depth here As funding levels will likely either remain at are those where there is scope, through advocacy current levels or diminish further, organisations and programmatic interventions over the two year must reorient their programming to this reality. period of 2019 to 2021, for mitigation. Macro-level Continuing insecurity is another fact unlikely to facts such as across the board cuts in donor funding change in the near horizon with several calls for and continuing insecurity lie well beyond the ability ceasefire by the government failing to produce of SCI to influence. This warrants instead that focus results. Indeed, increasing levels of violence routinely shift to optimal use and allocation of funds and force NGOs to temporarily or permanently close overcoming collective action and coordination issues. health facilities and education centres,75 while We therefore turn our attention to institutional- and AOGs in other provinces categorically forbid policy-level gaps and barriers. For this, we consulted services,76 forcing local populations to travel in with national and international non‑governmental the event of health emergencies. During 2018 and organisations from both humanitarian and 2019, due to insecurity, NGOs have temporarily development sectors as well as with government halted operations in provinces such as Farah77 and officials from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Uruzgan78 while others have had to permanently Refugees and Repatriation and Ministry of Labor and cease service delivery in provinces such as Maidan Social Affairs. Emergent themes arising from these Wardak, Nangarhar and Kunduz.79 NGO personnel consultations are discussed below. However, we first have also lost their lives in incidents.80 In other take a look at the two fundamental constants that instances, AOG have selectively rejected the shape the opportunity space for the improvements provision of life-saving services. In 2018, in one that can be made to current child protection district of Badakhshan, AOG refused one health services, policies and programmes. NGO to carry out vaccinations on children.81 It follows from this that interventions for children DWINDLING FUNDING AND in or affected by conflict in Afghanistan must be designed within the opportunity space afforded by CONTINUING INSECURITY these two constants – lower funding and continuing insecurity. To effectively minimise inefficiencies and Both national and international organisations in maximise the impact of current and future child Afghanistan are adjusting to the consequences of protection interventions, barriers and gaps must a diminishing funding envelope from donors. Over be identified and addressed. The outcome of such the past several years, the percentage of required scrutiny will not just help organisations adjust response plan funding to actually be covered by and reorient themselves, but over the long-term, humanitarian aid has steadily decreased.72 Six will contribute to stronger, more impactful and months into 2019, 76% of the required funds under sustainable child protection programming. UNOCHA’s response plan are still unmet.73 For some organisations this is evident in how staffing The research has identified that the following levels have reduced, in some cases drastically,74 issues prevent or render difficult the provision of while others have decreased the number of activity effective, preventive and responsive services to streams. Several international organisations have conflict-affected children in Afghanistan. narrowed the scope of their interventions to include only the most vulnerable groups of children within their sectoral ambits.

51 52 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE under age or selling their children. their selling or age under still while daughters off marrying army, and police the in including sectors, various in labour child to must be flexible, but the funding system does nothave does thefunding flexibility.” system but flexible, be must from Iran are We anissue. becoming deportations and then Pakistan we which to of people we isaninflux from respond there and as that do severalrespond isadrought to there IDPs we with deal As populations. “We have require that of achain emergencies flexibility. to try We survive. to household for the simply children involving their mechanisms negative to coping resort parents livelihoods, precarious destroy droughts as such emergencies sudden when levels are so dire that Poverty weak governance. society’s of corrosion and the fabric poverty, as such facts macro-level by are exacerbated and with interlock stressors These children. to risks are all life-threatening –these kidnapping as such crimes in increases AOG forces, government and between clashes attacks, suicide bombings, Aerial war for children. the of year 2018 deadliest the with children, to threat areal be to continues insecurity stress, levels mental toxic of to addition In well. as were reported behaviour criminal and violence Anger, conflict. to exposure of children in effects the of are some sadness prolonged and excessive crying anxiety, Self-harm, children. their in trauma with interviewed common symptoms reported associated parents the half than more provinces, researched the of areas impact the Across ways. complex in interconnected sources their and are many children Afghan by endured predations and deprivation The INCOMMENSURABILITY ISSUE–RESPONSE Child Protection Coordinator, UNICEF, Afghanistan emergencies consist of phases, with each requiring requiring each with phases, of consist emergencies that belief the to operationally adhere sectors Both implementation. of for ease workable parts into down complexity this break Afghanistan Humanitarian and development in actors other. on the these (corruption) graft within endemic and hand one the on agencies government of capacity of lack the by compounded is complexity This interventions. responsive of delivery the to challenges practical in acutely most felt is ground the on situation the of complexity the NGOs, and INGOs For 84,85 82 These include These acquiescing 83 response exist. that mechanisms the overwhelm Afghanistan in ground the on needs the that stating in this echoes IOM from official An services. existing in gaps exacerbates emergencies to respond adequately and encompass to interventions their and agencies of inability this And protection assessments of individual the protection assessments children. begins IOM homes, children’s their to after return Aweek families. with resettlement their ensure to provinces home their to back children with War and travels centre, UK Child adjacent an at tracing family conduct Agency Development Resource War Human and this, UK Child Following centre. transit the to children transports and provides IOM Afghanistan. immediate assistance to Iran from deported minors unaccompanied to management case specialist of delivery its in is pronouncedly most protection child with intersects IOM workof the where points the of One services. management IOM’s of case limitations the in found be to is above points the illustrates that A case the complexity of the emergencies playing out. emergencies of the complexity the with commensurate are not Afghanistan in sectors and flexibilitythe of humanitarian and development the readiness official, UNICEF asenior According to conflict. by affected or in children including beneficiaries, to delivery service in inefficiencies and for gaps cause akeyis underlying developmentassistance with in Afghanistan services practical in coordinating difficulty humanitarian the that suggest officials INGO the Specifically, to coordinate and interventions activities. frameworks both of inability this of effects damaging several the point to increasingly implications And sectors. development and humanitarian the between poor is coordination them, According to from UNICEF, IOM and UNHCR disagree. UNHCR and IOM UNICEF, from officials asystem, of formation like look the might this while And NGOs. with shared and agencies, sectoral different levels government, of different across distributed responsibilities and roles of set acomplex is result The agencies. different involving times, different at responses different 90 86,87,88 89

5 GAPS IN AND BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES 53

Protection Officer, IOM, Afghanistan Officer, Protection “The humanitarian whole system is geared humanitarian towards work. It hard It is very life-savingis purely […] actors.” to development to it over hand PHOTO: MARIAM ATAHI/SAVE THE CHILDREN THE ATAHI/SAVE MARIAM PHOTO: official,capacity-building key nationalof child protection actors issimilarly key, but he puts equal emphasis on the harmonisation of INGO strategies and interventions with the priority plans ofthe humanitarian– improving to addition government, in coordination. development The perhaps gravest effect of poor humanitarian– development coordination is lack of strategic Thecoherence following sections in the sector. aid discuss lack of how strategic coherence hinders effective, and responsive preventive child protection services today and the development of a system longer-termfor modes of child protection service delivery. Yasamine*, 1, receiving health and nutrition support and health in receiving 1, Yasamine*, Nangarhar Province

The fact that these all 91 gmentation. NGOs Several see this state of a fragmentation reflected in the multitude of shorter- term programmes targeting the same issues clusters, as opposed longer-term to fewer programmes. The recurrent suggestion is that more effective responses to the complex issues surrounding child protection in Afghanistan require would longer timescales and wider scopes. The perspectives of NGOs will be examined further in the next section. It is significant that officialsfrom UNICEF, UNHCR and IOM and representatives NGOs from several referall to cross-sectoral coordination failure stemming from the difficulty in bridging activity streams. development and humanitarian But the thinking on possible mitigation strategies is less unanimous. For the official at IOM,rather than scaling up or otherwise adjusting IOM’s activities, investments should be made in relevant government agencies such as MoLSA in the form capacity-buildingof INGOs meant not since are to be in the country indefinitely. For the UNICEF poor coordination and integration of effort. the At of NGOs,level these dynamics translate into fr Attempting to explain the poor coordination between Afghanistan, actors in development and humanitarian a senior UNHCR officialaddresses thecontradiction, arguing that the organisational mandates of INGOs erect artificial barriers with implicationsfor the quality of services in both sectors. This results in Despite the fact that services such as specialist case management to unaccompanied minors are stretched to their maximum by thehigh volume of returnee children, sustainable resolution of the situation is not a given. of childrenchildren’s 10% re-migrate due to poverty and the lack of shelters provision. education and Assessments supposed are to happen periodically, to ensure the well-being of the child, but with every gettingcaseworker 40 cases new per onaverage month, the is workload considerable so that this is in practice.not followed drivers of re-migration development are issues humanitarian of contradiction the inherent reveals services in Afghanistan. The practical extent of humanitarianIOM’s work goes as far as to follow them from the border to the transit centre and then conduct protection assessments Child UK once War themhas followed home to their provinces of origin. But once that work is done, intractable development challenges such as lack of education, livelihoods and shelter can undo that work. 54 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE that in many cases show very little potential for potential little show very cases many in that activities programming extend to required costs the up pushed this, of aresult as and responses, of complexity the increased also has government, humanitarian including and development the parts, sector’s the between problem coordination The efficacy. reduced and expenditure and effort of duplication programming, fragmented in resulted has coordination of lack this decades, two past the Over context. broader the from isolation in devised been has solution a which for issue particular a to address fixes tendered, developed and implemented as short Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS), Action Humanitarian in Child Protection for Standards Minimum the 1of standard with should in be line interventions Child protection STRATEGIC OF LACK COHERENCE for childprotection. programming development of benefits long-term the limits and action collective effective impedes which problem acoordination with struggles Afghanistan However, in aid sector the above, argued as which states: efficient and timely response. timely and efficient full, ensure to order in efforts protection child their coordinate populations of affected representatives and organisations society civil agencies, Relevant humanitarian and authorities, responsible 93,94 Individual projects are projects Individual ‑ ter 92

m where addictions took form in the first place. first the in form took addictions where environments the to home return to them forcing thus stay, can they where shelters of alack to due relapse of are risk at addiction for drug treated how of children example gave the NGO One conflict. by affected children to services responsive barrier to providing preventive effective, and a is programming current of nature disjointed the howof examples are severalThere specific statements. their of credibility the increasing own work, their of modality main the against arguing are essentially this stating workers NGO the that stress to important is It shortsightedness. strategic of aform as manner asiloed in activities time-limited of delivery the described NGO One systems. and efforts complementary into tied not are low is interventions if lifecycles project beyond continuing The likelihood of activities context. broader the from disjointed being it of effect an of programming much is sustainability limited the that expressed several respondents Indeed, we do – once it stops, it stops.” it stops, it we do –once work “[T]he detention, in children with working official INGO words one of the In sustainability. basis due the time-limited nature of projects. of nature time-limited the due basis aproject on be not should effort protection child programming, no complementary services exist exist services programming, no complementary own its of ambit the beyond words, other In 96

Another NGO contended that that contended NGO Another PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST STEFANIE PHOTO: Kabul Province Kabul in class education community-based a in 10, Hajira*, 95 97 98

5 GAPS IN AND BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES 55 denied 103 The official cites 107 or simply pointed to 104 The extremes to which 106 105 Furthermore, the issue of children On their part, government officials 108 102 A third specialising NGO, in education, 101 lack of funding. of lack believes lack of capacity to be the cause of extensive inaction by the government as regards child protection. One of the practices through which recruitment and use of children in the security sector can take isplace document falsification such nationalas fake identity cards thatthe show ages of children as The 18. issueabove of government compliance does thus not limit itself to absence of action prescribed by laws, but also violations of rights, in this case administrative corruption. The organisation experienced the same indifference officials government from whennotifying them about instances of child marriages and of children labouring in perilous circumstances in mechanic’s shops. Another health NGO states that MoLSA is mandated to further child protection, but there seems to be no interest from officials in vulnerable childgroups labourerslike and street working children. As noted by other NGOs and INGOs, lack of capacity of national actors can also point to the intractability of the causes underlyingchild protection issues. Poverty looms large in the decision-making of parents who resign themselves to having their children or work be married whilst mechanisms coping negative The age. under observed in times of emergency indicates how povertysevere in Afghanistan is and the lengths to which parents can be driven. to According a senior UNICEF official, during emergencies such as the droughts in the in western 2018 provinces of Afghanistan, there been have cases of parents who sold their children. the example of arrested children being mistreated at police stations during the investigation stage, in violation of articles and 40 of the 37 UNCRC on detention and punishment and juvenile justice respectively. parents may resort survival for of households acuteshows how pre-existing poverty is and how shocks to livelihoods exacerbate the effects of this. CORRUPTION toAccording an official from an INGO workwhose intersects the the Afghan issue justice of sector, compliance largely stems from corruption within the public sector in Afghanistan. often admitted to simply not knowing laws, issues pertaining to capacity 100 But 99 vernmental organisations. This describes This organisations. vernmental go ‑ An official from Terre de Hommes,An official an INGO from that has operated in Afghanistan more for than two decades, notes NGOs how either tend to disappear when funding ends or shift from one sector to another in pursuit of funds, as donor preferences and priorities shift. “One day everyone talks about corruption and the next day it is something else.” the shifts NGOs between make sectors to follow the of flow donor funding. SECTORAL HOPPING NGOS BY Lack of strategic coherence not only degrades the quality of existing services by impeding sustainability as argued above, but also exacerbates the negative effects of limited funding, namely discontinuity, inconsistency shifting and priorities. This is clear in the practice of sectoral hopping by non Furthermore, for organisations, disconnectedness disconnectedness Furthermore, organisations, for otherfrom similar organisations organisations or implementing interventions similar has two damaging consequences. It decreases the prospect that best practices can be identifiedreplicated and cross-programmatically. This directly limits the sustainability of effects generated by successful interventions. Lower-budget projects especially are vulnerable to this risk of lessons and best practices being forgotten. following this, the NGO points out, there no are guarantees that child beneficiaries will proceed with their schooling. So as as valuable these projects are, in the absence of mutually reinforcing institutional ties between agencies, temporary gains can easily lead nowhere. This was echoed in the accounts of provincial-level DoE officials in Balkh, Sar-e-Pul and Faryab as well. SYSTEMIC COMPLIANCE DEFICIT Afghan toAccording NGOs several whose work in some relates way to children, government national and with international compliance legislation on children is an area of concern. An official from one NGO whose specialism is within health presenting cited of government examples officials withevidence of workingchildren in the military and police, going even far as so to take pictures, but being met with disinterest and inaction. to take over, thus compromising continuityto of over, take training delivers also NGO same The rehabilitation. courses in literacy and primary stage school textbooks to children across five provinces. 56 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE actors and the practice of Bacha Bazi. Bacha of practice the and actors armed by children of use and recruitment as such abuse and misuse against prohibitions and services to access education, including areas issue of abroad set addresses comprehensively which Rights Child of Protection on Law the introduced 11On 2019, March government Afghan the RIGHTS CHILD PROTECTIONLAW OF ON children. against violations report to fail or perpetuate inadvertently could providers service that vulnerability the creates children with do to has partially or fully work either whose NGOs among awareness limited reason, time women should breastfeed. of duration like the principles law Islamic and exist not law, does that alaw international an cited representative the relevant laws, about asked when NGO, health one of case the In necessary. not is policies and laws protection child of awareness full view that the engenders several this NGOs Among ambit. their within falls still but exclusive mandate, their not is specifically protection child children, with working NGOs most For well. as sector NGO the in likely exists issue acompliance legislation, relevant of awareness limited by evidenced As NGOs AWARENESS AMONG LEGISLATIVE several generations. for education imperilling consequences, cascading has environment regulatory poor this representative, CSO words one of the In place. take not does qualifications teacher of verification prevailing the but increasing, is perception that is particular in schools private of number The schools. private and hospitals at services of quality the with concern expressed NGOs Some regulations. non-existent or weak of result the part in is providers level service of the at Corruption collaborate. to or information to share refusing actors national of instances to referred also organisations Other ministries. between coordination of lack well as as accountability and transparency of lack to down come similarly speculates, official the for this, reasons The actors. sector education and health both by ignored or forgotten be to tends also detention in process of the law took over six years. Save the the Save over years. took six law the of process endorsement and 1994.in development The ratified government Afghan the which (UNCRC), Child the of Rights the on UN Convention the on based largely is Rights Child of Protection on 110 Regardless of the the of Regardless 111 109 The Law Law The of Employment. Age 138 No. Convention and Minimum the on Labour Child of Worst 182No. the Forms on (ILO) Organization Convention Labour International labour, child to related treaties key international the 2010of April both in ratified Afghanistan standards, and laws for relevant international As depth. in each treating from refrains but areas issue of set abroad spans further document The outdated. are strategy the of modalities the present, the relevance continuing with for themes comprising labour, child illegal addressing and for especially useful (CPAN) While formed. Network Action compliance. faith good on emphasis astrong spirit”,and putting letter in law the “implement to agencies government on called and years, recent in children on toll the war’s severehighlighting key figures cited he which during conference, apress at it introduced country the of Vice President Second The imminent. are changes further that hope cautious to rise gives presented was law the which in manner The the government. Rights Advocacy Forum (CRAF) Advocacy Forum Rights Child alongside advocacy engagement through law this of endorsement the to contributed Children Children at Risk, for Strategy National 2004 the is Afghanistan in precedent closest Its funding. follow, that, with and to tend policies laws, of introduction the with but protection, child of area the to government the by funds of allocation insufficient cited workers Several NGO step. apositive is law The consequences. graver elicit might law evade to this attempts that signals “spirit” on emphasis the agencies, government in corruption much underlie and practiced commonly are discretion administrative of abuse and the US-led war against AOGs. war against US-led the later and 1990s war the in civil the to due 2009 until Convention the of implementation the on report initial the CRC submit 1994, not in did the it but ratified Rights”. country Human of The Declaration Universal the and joined, has Afghanistan which to treaties international well as as agreements, observe the United Nations Charter, inter-state shall State “the that stipulates which Constitution, Afghan the of 7 (CRC)Child flowsarticle from of Convention the Rights on the implementing 113 In a country where arbitrariness arbitrariness where acountry In 115 114 Afghanistan’s commitment to to Afghanistan’s commitment around which Child Protection Protection Child which around 116 112 to influence influence to 5 GAPS IN AND BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES 57

PHOTO: ABDUL WASAY HEWADMAL/SAVE THE CHILDREN

122,123 Displacement 121 For NGOs delivering education services 120 makes it difficultfor sick and injured people reachto clinics. to internally displaced populations, facilities such as classrooms difficult are to keep.findand Due to displacement, Child Canada (WCC) has in War some cases lost track of children under its coverage, leading to lossof support to them. MITIGATING STRATEGIES,MITIGATING SHIFTS AND APPROACHES In direct response to the identified above gaps and barriers, present we below a discussion on possible sectoral, institutional and policy-level strategies. These suggest ways to lessen, mitigate theand overcome impact of limitations and vulnerabilities at play within and between the international and national and government Afghan sectors. development and humanitarian The suggestions articulated are within the paribus ceteris the by afforded opportunity space continuing constants ii) diminished funding and i) of insecurity. In some cases, they also expand on and withconverse ideas put forth during interviews informantsby key from NGOs, INGOs and agencies.government or the frequent movement has of Kochis similarly affected the access of health organisations like CAF and Swedish Committee Afghanistan to (SCA) reach children in their areas of intervention. 118 Most critically, 119 For example, only 20% of returnee 117 Setara*, recipient 1, of polio vaccine Nangarharin Province destroyed or poorly maintained infrastructure road Two other factors key that hinderTwo accessibility of NGOs to children poor are infrastructure and health displacement. Among delivering NGOs services, clinic locations and facilities prevalent are issues. Clinics often challenges face in terms of storage of medicine, installation of machines and availability of clean water. Areas of intervention and service delivery for NGOs and INGOs typically are restricted to urban centresprovincial due to the greater insecurity of rural areas. This means that development programming and services often do not reach children living beyond cities and towns. But since armed clashes more often in place rural take areas, rural-based children the are most affected by conflict. This reality echoes the statements national of several NGOs that the children most in need of support do not receive it. INSECURITY RESTRICTS INTERVENTIONS children receiving case management services from services management from case receiving children IOM near live district centres. Illustrating the severity of the child protection needs that go unmet in rural areas, the Afghan NGO of Afghan Care Families (CAF), which has delivered mental health services a periodover of years, notes children how in villages within to or close which fighting occurs experience mental disturbances that cause slowness of learning in school or aggressive behaviour. 58 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE Protection Working Group’s Protection (CPWG) definition Child Global the Indeed, members. community and neighbours, friends, family, thus encompassing lives, individual the which in environment social the to client, or individual the beyond spans approach the as developmentan intrinsic component management, case of concept the within is, There programming. protection child of part aservice as it use also to actors for development potential clear is there agencies, humanitarian work of the with associated typically is management case Though by UNICEF. workers social MoLSA to taught being also is it approach, case management the employing INGOs humanitarian to addition In Children. the Save does as it, uses also UNHCR Iran. from deported children returnee unaccompanied resettle work to IOM’s is protection child to relation in management case of use the of example an Afghanistan, In way. continuous and asystematic in support direct with families their and individuals helping to approach an work as their in organisations humanitarian by employed is management Case DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMING CASE MANAGEMENT IN

PHOTO: ABDUL WASAY HEWADMAL/SAVE THE CHILDREN Child Protection Coordinator, UNICEF development.” in needed is management case […] of system-building apart should be component humanitarian The system? the strengthen to situation humanitarian we do the use “How driving system-building. driving system-building. system of part forming component humanitarian the see innovating streams, activity case management would coordination humanitarian and between development improve to efforts other with combine should this While management. case of nature individualised intrinsically the of aresult as focused more become development programming, development can services into approach management case the of carry-over the through Conversely, development. of realm the into itself inject that, through and level, community the into further tap to opportunity an marks For humanitarian programming, case management structured. be can action which around and logic development the meet can logic humanitarian the where apoint be to it enables level, community level the and individual the both encompass to it allows which concept, management case the of ‘elasticity’ relative the differently, Put individuals. not but children, and youth women, as such society of segments particular and households communities, local as phrased usually is this projects, development of change of theories the In target. conventionally interventions development what is community-level the And community-level. the encompass to environment – social surrounding the to extending but individual the with –beginning enough elastic is approach an as management case that means This protection efforts stresses the systemic element. systemic the stresses efforts protection child of part aservice as management case of ‑ bu ilding in the development sector. development indeed, the in Or ilding class in Kunduz Province Kunduz in class community-based education their in 6, Malika*, sister, 7, her and Razia*, 124 5 GAPS IN AND BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES 59 highlighting lack 127 these clusters of actors, i) donor i) agencies, NGO ii) and cross-cluster coordination cross-cluster coordination and 126 mism’ – shorter-term programming with shorter-term programming – mism’ rmism of development programming. programming. rmism development of ter te ‑ ‑ little or no thought given to sustainability of impact. toAccording nearly respondents, all improving within-cluster activities children for possible. Employment of case management to children in or affected by conflict will be a step ensuring towards a greater focus on child protection, including legislation, relevant and child-friendlier procedures. FOR STRONGERADVOCACY AGENCY COORDINATION Whether child protection services can become more effective, and responsive preventive is tied to whether the in internal be improvement there can among coordination sectorgovernment and iii) agencies on the one hand. And on the other hand, whether there can be betweenbetter coordination particularly NGOs and government agencies, and alignment between donor preferences improved priorities. government and programming for Both interfaces flagged were respondents by as poorly coordinated and, as a result, a marked ‘short of alignment in particular as a point of potential obstruction effectiveness. for A UNHCR official echoed this in reiterating the importance of coordination and that UNHCR despite being a its activities aligns organisation humanitarian with the national priority programmes of the government. As the priority government’s is development, the emphasis of both UNICEF and UNHCR on aligning their activities with its priorities is positive. Respondents also pointed to coordination failures in the equally crucial interface between the NGO sector and the government. All NGOs interviewed thisfor research remarked that coordination with government agencies at both national and provincial islevels weak. coordination Poor with national and government agencies is a problem, to according one is the best to way address this oft-mentioned short Better alignment of preferences, priorities and identification of interlinkageswould invariably better ensuring perspective, strategic wider a foster benefits. longer-term and coherence sectoral On the coordination between donors and government, one senior UNICEF official pointed out that more could be done to align donor funding with the vision, government’s ring with sectorring the humanitarian sha ‑ The low percentage The low of cases that 125 on a key pointon a key of overstretch. to According IOM’s unit case for management, the organisation is currently only able to services provide to around of returnee10% children. Follow-up with children already in their system, which is supposed to be periodic, suffers due to the of social workload workers who get 40 cases new per on average month. Furthermore, many development projects have a partial or tangential focus on children, with understanding limited possessing implementers only of child protection legislation. and relevant This makes the risk of unintended consequences of SOCIAL ROOTEDNESS AND SUSTAINABILITY dividend actors, the coordination development For of incorporating case management similarly would pertain to sustainability, but also the community- rootedness interventions. of level Development programming usually aims to induce change at the community-level, but with the component of case management, change is sought at the level of individuals as well, not just the for child, but parentsfor or other caregivers, families, school personnel and community members. humanitarian agencies can actually and take the extent of overstretch among their personnel thereveals unviability of humanitarian agencies of Carry-over alone. management case conducting case management to development agencies would thus not just individualise development services, anchoring them sustainably in communities, but also broaden the scope and contribute to the services. humanitarian of sustainability FUSING AIDSERVICES AND DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTIONS humanitarian–developmentBesides of the dividends coordination arising harmonising from the two strands of activities, development agencies introduce adapting management case would responsibility The above is notThe in above itself a programmatic intervention, but a shift inthinking. such From a shift inthinking differently could follow designed developmentprogramming. In the Afghan context, within the provinces of Kabul, Balkh, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul as as well beyond, one to way envisage the use of case management by development actors is by interlinking it with the referral systems of CPANs, much NGOs like already do for coordination purposes. 60 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE being overlooked. being overlooked. Uruzgan recently until and like Wardak, Ghazni provinces certain to led has intervention of areas of selection Convenience-driven case. the not is this actuality in when government the with consult NGOs that assume will donors that explained official MoE The needs. highest of areas fromthe funding of convenience such itself, of and in damaging being Besides province(s) in the work experience in question. previous and researchers field of apresence has organisation the whether on but needs, on not based provinces of selection the donors to recommend or as opposed to need. to opposed as convenience on based intervention of areas choose will NGOs that often is instances such in contention of Akey point proposals. government with aligned are not that proposals developing or MoE, consulting without studies conducting INGOs and NGOs of instances cited Education of Ministry the from official senior One well. as side government the on exists and international organisations operating within officials government donors, comprise These coordination. and communication facilitate to Kabul in exists mechanisms consultative of A range CONSULTATIVE KABUL IN MECHANISMS agencies. for government useful information and insights have on-ground NGOs as delivery service on effects detrimental NGO, with ‑ dr iven programming allocations diverts 129 That is, NGOs often select select often NGOs is, That 128 The sentiment The sentiment

Chief Executive’s Office working closely with others, others, with closely working Executive’sChief Office opposed politically the and agencies government to some close and keeping with working Office President’s the With difficult. made is action collective and persists often confusion why a reason as (NUG) Government Unity National the of nature fractious the to pointed furthermore official MoRR involved, everyone one another. knowing with are few very agencies that is for that reason the and successful, still is children, of number a limited targeting albeit the work, that states official IOM An Iran. from children returnee resettling on does work IOM the in illustrated is point This services. better view, would to his in lead fewer platforms and fora, many are too there (MoRR), Repatriation and of Refugees Ministry the from official a senior According to fora. of number sheer the is suffers still government, and foreign organisations particularly actors, between coordination why reason A possible services. protection child responsive preventive and effective, to barrier primary the weak highlighted be coordination to as continues notwithstanding, afew. entities mention These to (PPHCC), Committee Coordination Health Provincial Public the sector health the within (EiEWG), and Working Group Emergencies in Education the sector education the within (DiREC), Committee Executive Return and Displacement the is there sector migration the Within Afghanistan. in sectors development and humanitarian the PHOTO: NIJLA AREZO/SAVE THE CHILDREN THE AREZO/SAVE NIJLA PHOTO: in Sar-e-Pul coats winter new their 7, wearing Jawad*, and 4, Hashim*, 8, Sakhi*, 130 The The 5 GAPS IN AND BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES 61 dget dget bu ‑ 10-year-old boy, Maimana, Faryab How can your community be made safer? safer? community made be your can How protect we do How girlsHow boys? and What about your parentshelp? your can the can How teachers, they do? what could you? help government help can us best“The government security. [W]henby [providing] a in there things security, is are all province thewell; economy is well, people are they happy and too.” good are allocation of funds takes a more central role. Since on-budget funds allocated are through Afghan government institutions, this warrants effective and credible institutions that comply with both existing child of prohibitions and obligations protection laws. One INGOs for way to encourage government actors greater towards compliance on child protection is through issue linking. The internecine nature of the ongoing conflict means that the government will prioritise security more than any other area. Child protection agencies should thus do more to explicitly the vocalise future security dividend of child protection. Particularly that protection of children today hinders i) their recruitment results into and ii) and use by AOG in less vulnerable and more educated citizens. To effectively this make point efforts, in advocacy more thinking must into sustainable go how programming, effects of interventions will be sustained and how government agencies can step in to fulfill this need. So this for end, too, prioritisation of sustainability in programme design and implementation is key. REPLICATING SUCCESSESREPLICATING An effort to amplify and replicate intervention proven successes is an avenue action for rapid towards positive change. In practice, amplification will broaden the scope of existing impactful activities, bringing more beneficiaries under their ambits. This will ostensibly see a multitude of funding streams become and more concentratedfewer through reallocation from ineffective to effective NGOs, activities and efforts. Furthermore, through replication of best practices, these can come to the in more fore that can be given to child protection through the question of institutional effectiveness. As shrinks, on funding stronger international

131 rm matter. It impingesrm matter. on the attention te ‑ The existence of a strategy could also be an opportunity stakeholders for to strengthen coordination and streamline effort. But also instituting stronger accountability on related work to child protection, thus ensuring greater efficacy. NGOs, toAccording several lacking responsiveness from national agencies to child protection issues has led to a loss of confidence in the government. To address the short-termismTo of programming, some NGOs propose that the government formulate a long-term child protection strategy. With the recent introduction of the Law on Protection of Child Rights, this is a tenable next step. AsNGOs repeatedly stressed the poor compliance of government agencies with laws and policies, the strategy should address the matter of its implementation own by having enforcement modalities outlined the in document itself. RECONFIGURING COORDINATION PATHWAYS COORDINATION RECONFIGURING The existence of a range of consultative mechanisms has not been enough to substantively improve between development humanitarian, coordination and government bodies. This calls the for need to rethink what forms of inter-agency coordination be mostwould effective. Coordination pathways can be reconfigured in a number of differentways, and it is difficult from the data at hand to extrapolate which form be best. would But from the above it appears that mechanisms fewer or pathways deeperwith engagement denser, is preferable to a multitude of fora. A mapping should exercise be undertaken to systematically assess inter-linkages, policy overlaps, complementarities and trade-offs between agencies working with child protection. the result is a policy mix that sees different agencies pursuing different agendas. Implications of such siloification is not only policies thatcounteract, clash with and but contradict also one another, interventions. and policies poorly interlinked The fact that government non-compliance is intertwined closely with corruption makes it all the more difficult solve.to Corruption is endemic in the Afghan government and its resolution is not a short ISSUE LINKING CHILD PROTECTION PROTECTION CHILD ISSUE LINKING SECURITYTO A child protection strategy signal would greater seriousness from the government and help streamline effort government within the area. 62 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE NGOs and governmentNGOs agencies. especially stakeholders, between collaboration and communication CPANS facilitate that notes official Health TdH. Public of through referrals AMinistry make CPANs and CPANs through referrals makes TdH cited. it be can Several that examples noted in coordinating and organisations. linking CPANs of Wadan TdH, and effectiveness the praise CAF, as such alike, organisations non-governmental National and longer-terminternational benefits. with structures towards permanent more step important are an NGOs between ties denser and Further NGOs. between cooperation for increasing point entry clear a CPANsmark specifically, SCI For practice. best such of example an areCPANs also compliance. justice actors’ presence monitoring a as also sector, justice serves the but complements TdH trials, through support well as as support start business and recreational psychosocial, of provision its and centres juvenile of operation sector. legal the its Through with work intersects Terre provided by that is (TdH) Hommes whose de protection child preventive responsive and effective, of example such One lessons. and experiences on contextualisation rather re-traversing than more focus can NGOs of cycles learning and places Kabul province Kabul in avillage in attends school 10, Khaamisha*, 135 Referring to to Referring 133,134 ‑ up

132

PHOTO: STEFANIE GLINSKI/JOURNALIST STEFANIE PHOTO: national- and provincial-level CPANs. with CPANs district-level of collaboration of failures and risks level protection child of awareness structures, their of informality for the criticised been have CPANs past, recent the In workedor around. CPANsbe addressed can in weaknesses identified previously that would necessitate This cooperation. shared on activities continued hinge help could NGOs such around models partnership brokering and these Formalising CPANs. through recorded as intersection, functional of key points study to is NGOs between cooperation strengthening view to a CPANswith of benefit the maximise way to One service providers. appropriate with them connect and help of need in children vulnerable identify also CPANs that out points aWCC Kabul, in centre representative protection achild to admitted was who issues health mental Kapisa from achild of with example the Schools Declaration, Schools Safe the of Government the by adaption for the advocacy high-level including procedures, and processes policies, of aseries Through replication. and study worth point another marks Education of Ministry way the in under institution-building The and hygiene. education health, to related instructions and practices accept to convince communities to easier it found organisation the Islam, of relevantto hadiths referring By concepts. Quranic of use through eased was implementation projects, delivering health NGO one For overcoming reservations. to useful be might incorporated religious components approaches Afghanistan, of east and south the as such areas, conservative particularly in interventions For polling stations. polling for locations alternative find to [IEC] Commission Election Independent the palace and presidential the to aplan submitting MoE despite writing of time at unclear is implementation, its on advice with Use during Armed Conflict, Armed during Use fromMilitary Universities and Schools Protecting for Guidelines attendant its accordance with in for implementation atimeline but Declaration, the 2019, May of endorsed has As Afghanistan well. as communities and schools but authorities, government just not of emergencies in education to responsiveness the strengthening is MoE (GCPEA), Attack from Education Protect to Coalition Global 140

139 137 an operationalisation of the the of operationalisation an 138 a practical manual manual apractical 136 6 Conclusion and recommendations

The research at hand set out to generate an CONCLUSIONS understanding of child protection needs in Afghanistan and the capacity of service providers A number of conclusions can be made with respect to preventively, effectively and responsively address to how conflict affects children in Afghanistan, and these. To do so, we i) undertook a situational specifically the four researched provinces: analysis of the plight of children across four 1. Direct as well as indirect exposure to conflict provinces in Afghanistan; ii) identified barriers exacts a considerable mental health toll to effective and responsive protection; and on children in Afghanistan, and children’s iii) discussed possible mitigating actions. environments rarely offer the support they The report first highlighted the different impacts need. Parents do not have adequate awareness the conflict is having on children in the SCI or training to effectively deal with their intervention districts of Kabul, Balkh, Faryab and children’s mental health issues and access Sar-e-Pul provinces. We investigated the toll of to counselling services is limited. The below conflict on children in terms of mental and physical provides an overview of the issue and health, security, access to services and general restrictions to treatment: well‑being. Secondly, the report identified sectoral, • In the researched districts six out of 10 institutional and policy-level gaps and barriers children have, according to their parents, to provision of child protection. Undertaking an experienced common symptoms of traumatic extensive consultation with representatives from experience, including anxiety, sleep national and international non-governmental disturbances, prolonged sadness and attempts organisations and Afghan government agencies, at self-harm. Outwardly harmful behaviours we investigated both root causes and the shapes like anger, violence against other children and gaps and barriers take across district, province and criminal behaviour were reported too; national levels. Informed by this, we extrapolated • In most cases, parents feel unable to possible mitigating actions, approaches and areas of effectively help children to cope with common focus for advocacy. These discuss how barriers and symptoms of traumatic experiences; gaps can be remediated by the NGO/INGO sector, • Access to psychosocial services is also donors and Afghan authorities to strengthen child severely limited, with 70% of children not protection services. having access to counselling due to the inability of households to shoulder the costs While the findings of the second part go partially or lack of awareness about the existence of beyond the scope of the initial research questions, such services; they have been included because they are vital to • Comparing the responses of child respondents understanding the root causes of barriers and gaps with those of parents indicates that the latter to effective child protection. think children come to them much more than In the below we present conclusions to the key children say they do; findings. In the recommendations sub-section we put • This discrepancy notwithstanding, the vast forth suggestions for mitigating actions, approaches majority of children, across all four provinces, and shifts in response to both key findings from the go to their parents, with 82% of children going four researched provinces and the discussed barriers to their mothers and 62% to their fathers; and gaps. • The restricted mobility of girls, especially in rural areas, prohibits them from seeking help from adults outside the home. This is reflected

63 64 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE 2.

• findings: specific the of overview an provides below The provinces. four the across unsafe and safe feel children where places the children’s to and threats security the investigated study The violence. conflict-related of a result as were 927 killed children war for children, the of year deadliest the 2018, In children. of being well- physical and lives the to threat acute an Co • • • •

nflict-induced insecurity continues to pose to continues insecurity nflict-induced of conflict of forms AOG other and before came and ANDSF between clashes followed armed Cri t In buildings. A higher proportion of girls feel feel girls of proportion Ahigher buildings. and government government checkpoints near well as as markets inside and way to the on and schools way to the on insecure 2018; in increased deaths child that reason are aprimary bombings aerial UNAMA, to According raids. night and bombings aerial to also due but clashes, armed in part their children’s to for only not threats safety, violence-induced of drivers primary the AN Kabul; in frequent are more attacks suicide whereas provinces in frequently more occur latter the that fact follows the from This raids. night and clashes armed than more these Kabul in fear parents while bombings suicide than threatening more are raids night former, and the clashes armed For Kabul. in parents of perceptions the to children’s to compared threats safety main provinces in other parents consider the what Th children’s to key threat security; the as it to pointed 86% parents of where Kabul in pronounced most is perception children’s to risk This safety. greatest the children; to threats greatest the as landmines/IEDs and attacks suicide 21% highlighted each parents of (39%). forces international and ANDSF by out carried followed raids night by parents, of (70%) thirds two than more according to children’sto threat safety significant most the AOG and remain ANDSF between clashes neighbours. and friends to go also who boys to compared for help caregivers or parents to go to tend who girls of proportion the in Ch ere are considerable differences between between differences areere considerable ildren feel safe at home and in schools and and schools in and home at safe feel ildren me-related violence such as abductions abductions as such violence me-related erms of conflict-induced violence, armed armed violence, conflict-induced of erms DSF and international forces are among are forces among international and DSF ‑ in duced violence, as posing posing as violence, duced 4. 3.

Th • • picture: afuller giver below points The Kabul Balkh. and to compared as medicalqualifiedstaff, andequipment medicine of perceptions respondent and availability on scored less Sar-e-Pul and Faryab of provinces underdeveloped and insecure rural, more the Overall, studied. also was children, to availability their particularly services, such impacts conflict • Directly, children. for certain accessible less are schools way that another is disabilities, with children and for girls toilets as such schools, in facilities proper of Lack school. to girls, especially children, sending from parents discourages war often aprotracted from resulting insecurity generalised Indirectly, directly. and indirectly both apparent is education to Ac • •

cessibility to health services and how and services health to cessibility e impact of conflict on children’son conflict of access e impact absence of schools in their communities; communities; their in schools of absence the stated respectively, 6%and parents, of 15% Faryab, and Sar-e-Pul in while Balkh and a No in Sar-e-Pul province; Sar-e-Pul in extent alesser to though provinces, Faryab and Kabul, Balkh, in extent considerable affected in Sar-e-Pul in the course of the war. the of course the in Sar-e-Pul in affected been has hospital one that confirms data AOGs. MoPH by facilities health of targeting Th He On Th provinces are arguably less developed; less areprovinces arguably two these Kabul, and Balkh to Compared provinces. Sar-e-Pul and Faryab in particularly for parents, concern of point another is clinics and hospitals at medicine of quality 27% Sar-e-Pul. in and 23% Faryab in Balkh, in 49% parents of just prevails among perception positive similarly a personnel, medical qualified have clinics and believe hospitals parents of thirds two than more Kabul where with Contrasted provinces. Sar-e-Pul and Faryab Balkh, in particularly for populations, concern home. the outside purpose for any around moving or market, the school, to going while harassment of types other and them of taken pictures having abuse, verbal enduring stalked, at, stared been having of experiences shared FGDs in participated who Girls boys. to compared home the outside unsafe e availability of medical equipment and the the and equipment medical of e availability a often is services health of e quality alth services are available to a are available to services alth ly 8% of respondents reported the the reported respondents of ly 8% bsence of schools was reported in Kabul in reported was schools of bsence 6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 65

PHOTO: ROYA HEYDARI/JOURNALIST Khatera*, studying 15, in Herat Province e MoE intends to advocate with the e Ministry internal records of Education’s cording to informants, key the use of school cording to more than half of the buildings as polling stations during the 2018 parliamentary election is the primary reason behind the uptick in the number of schools targeted that year; Th Office of the President and the Independent Election Committee to use mosques as polling stations instead of schools in the 2019 presidential elections; interviewed parents, schools their in communitiesbeen have targeted or used during conflict by ANDSFAOG in the last or three years. The breakdown provincial reveals that the highest number of parents reporting the targeting or use of schools in conflict from Sholgaraare district of Balkh (73%), by Faryabfollowed Sar-e-Pul (68%), (67%) and Kabul (23%); Th schools been have affectedindicate that 1,153 in the This conflictincludes burning since 2013. of and damage to school infrastructure, the killing or injuring of school personnel and students, temporary or permanent of closure school, curriculum forced changes on the part of AOG, use of school buildings fighting, for and others. Interestingly, reporting MoE’s is not congruent with that of parentsin target profiles. This indicateslikely that not all incidents recorded monitoring; are in MoE’s Ac Ac

• • • • mbers drastically separate were for lower ere was not much variation between spondents cited insecurity, lack of nrolment among both boys and girls, likely Re support from families and communities due to conservative beliefs and vulnerability to harassment as barriers to higher enrolment of girls. FGDs and KII respondents also cited insecurity, economic hardship, conflicting schedules with work and lack of access to quality education as reasons key why parents might decide to not enrol children schools; in Nu toilets girls for and boys, toilets children for with disabilities and adequate lighting. The lack of toilets children for with disabilities is particularly considerable of parents with 94% stating this; Th provinces in terms of schools with perimeter walls – vital security for – toilets and clean Around twodrinking thirds of parents water. attested to the two former while a little more than half attested to the latter; Kabul hasKabul the highest percentage of e attributable to less conservative attitudes educationtowards as compared to the other provinces. Balkh has the second highest enrolment boys, for but the rate lowest for girls. The proportions strikingly are similar in Sar-e-Pul and Faryab provinces where more than two thirds of boys and 60% of girls are enrolled in school;

• • • • 66 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE 5.

children work. According to Afghan legislation, legislation, Afghan According to work. children their let to parents forces cases many in families Th Kabul Province Kabul their home in in Two siblings • • •

e severity of economic hardship endured by by endured hardship economic of e severity on schools. prevent to attacks (GCPEA) Attack from Education Protect to Coalition Global the of operationalisation an Framework, Safety School the finalizing is Education At t dropout. to 26% parents of according to and rates absence high to lead can it 32% According to parents of mosques. and centres community homes, private trees, under spaces open in or buildings, damaged in taught being children closure schools, of permanent or temporary are often schools Th conflict; on-going severely the by most affected have been that provinces are the which Farah, Kunduz and Ghazni, as such provinces in been has casualties staff school of number highest The followed 237 by 2016 in 377 and 2018. in (862) 2014, in number recorded highest the o atotal have been there MoE, the According to f 2,787 cases of school staff casualties, with with casualties, staff school of cases f 2,787 e immediate results of conflict affecting affecting conflict of results e immediate

ime of writing, the Afghan Ministry of of Ministry Afghan the writing, of ime PHOTO: ROYA HEYDARI/JOURNALIST ROYA PHOTO: • • • • • 14 of age the below children working. from prohibits law labour The training. vocational of form some is and week, per 35 hours than less up takes children, to harmful not work is the that conditions the allowed workunder to 15 of ages the 17 and between Children are labour. child in engaged being as them qualify not does working children of fact mere the •

working 35 hours or more. or 35 hours working are children that 2% and stated lives, their to threat asecurity posing environments in working children 21% reported children’s impacts education, working believe that 24% parents of here WFCL: Th t In 14 In S In Ka schooling. their affects adversely working that stated 24% have and environments, workplace 31% more, or dangerous in are operating 35 hours province are working the in working children 10% all of the areas. surveyed other the to province compared Faryab in highest the be to law,labour reported is Th work; night-time and tools sharp lighting, and workspace inadequate ventilation, insufficient temperatures, extreme noises, loud dust, of presence the in working includes This hazardous. as ILO characterise the which conditions under province are working Balkh in working and shoe-making; agriculture vending, street weaving, carpet Kabuland (10%) home-based workis The (14%), 21%with followed Sar-e-Pul by each, Faryab and Balkh in were reported working children of numbers highest The work. of are involved areas form some in surveyed girls (15%); of proportion the as high as twice almost work, province reportedly Balkh of district Sholgara the in 27% boys of instance, For provinces. all target four in girls to compared 35 hours or more per week. per more or 35 hours are working children that 5%and stated workenvironments, hazardous in working are children children’s saythat 7% education, on working of impact adverse the reported % of the interviewed children in the the in children interviewed the % of e prevalence of WFCL, as per the Afghan Afghan the per as e prevalence WFCL, of 10% all of children that suggest e data bul seems to have the second highest highest second have the to seems bul erms of gender, of erms are working boys more ar-e-Pul province, 14% province, respondents of ar-e-Pul 6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 67 phasise the security dividend of child sure a more inclusivesure and participatory deavour access to to and improve availability En approach of beneficiaries to programme design and implementation to optimise outcomes, engagement with meaningful children, including including vulnerable groups such as those with engagement with other Active disabilities. stakeholders should also underpin programme design, including with parents and community leaders to recognise common symptoms of psychosocial distress in children andways that they can help support and promote resiliency. A more inclusive approach will also help to address other notable factors of humanitarian and development programme design, such as literacy rates when targeting groups and exploring appropriate methods disseminating of information technical for and vocational (TVET) training education and programming. Em En of health services, including mobile clinics, as aswell psychosocial support and counselling services children for who demonstrate symptoms of traumatic experiences. Efforts should include targeted activities advocacy national towards the decision-makers, international including and the international and Afghanistan of Government community, to increase requisite funding and technical support expanded for available MHPSS and resiliency programming, and capacity- duty-bearing for building institutions, including the Ministry of Public Health. expansion learning of innovative modalities, such as distance learning resources and curriculums technology. mobile through delivered protection toin advocacy encourage government actors greater towards compliance on child protection linking through issue that recognising the internecine the of ongoing conflict nature means that the government and some donors will prioritise security more than any other area. Child protection agencies should thus, as part of their and messaging, advocacy do more to explicitly the vocalise future security dividend of child protection such that the protection of children today hinders their recruitment and use into minimises AOGs, exposure to forms all of physical and emotional abuse,and addresses other protection concerns. Such efforts would therefore result in less vulnerable and more educated citizens in the future, a requisite for the country. across peace

• • • re systematicallyre educate themselves dertakemapping a through exercise the pport the Government of Afghanistan, Su Ministries, relevant through theincluding provision of technical guidance in recognition that such institutions the are primary duty-bearers in the provision of social services, and particularly child protection, and as such bear primary responsibility the for well-being of civilians in Afghanistan. One avenue the for provision of technical support could include coordination with the Ministry of Education to technical provide guidance and alternative develop pathways to education and learning out-of-school for children, including increased informal remedial and/or education, life skills and resiliency as as well vocational opportunities, and the introduction or on relevant childon protection relevant legislation in recognition that while it may not be their specific, mandate, exclusive it falls within their purviews alongside other themes. Furthermore, NGOs should increase efforts advocacy in international the wider among and Afghanistan community regarding child protection issues, especially those by faced the most vulnerable groups, both and in towards coordination with the Government of Afghanistan and other relevant stakeholders. Mo UN cluster system to systematically assess complementarities overlaps, inter-linkages, policy and trade-offs between agencies working with child protection to enhance programmatic and coordination advocacy efforts. Un

• • The humanitarian community, namely national and international NGOs and UN should: Afghanistan, in operating agencies • The followingrecommendations derived are from thetwo of consultations levels undertaken in development of this report: district and community-level with children and parents across the four researched provinces of Kabul, Balkh, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul; and national-level with international and national and agencies government NGOs operating in the humanitarian and development spaces in Afghanistan. These selected recommendations seek to address the root causes of gaps and barriers in the delivery of child protection services through programmatic considerations as aswell requisite advocacy. RECOMMENDATIONS 68 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE • • • should: Affairs, Social and Labor of Ministry the The Government of Afghanistan, specifically

appropriate under Afghan and international law. as punished and prosecuted be responsible found those ANDSF, AOG, by that and rights of children’s violations including investigated, are abuses rights human of all allegations that ensure also should states member coalition and Government Afghanistan. in active states member coalition and Government the both by accountable held be should purposes military for IHL under sites protected other and clinics hospitals, schools, using or children injuring or killing targeting, and attacks indiscriminate conducting by IHL of precepts the against acting conflict the to parties All actors. armed non-state other and groups opposition armed possible, when and well as as forces military coordination national with and international in conducted those (IHL), including law humanitarian international with comply combat of situations in made orders and all directives En protection. for their routes alternative them finding spaces, avoid to these children encourage and go to for children places safe least the of make maps to local authorities and communities encouraging include could actions additional infrastructure, and populations avoid to civilian operations military conducting when techniques mitigation employing with Along school. from and to travelling as such violence, to exposure of risk heightened are at they where situations evidenced in En ministries. within Units Protection Child and Provincial Technical Committees and National of resourcing and establishment the including Rights, Child of Protection the on Afghanistan’s Law under all provisions well as as Approach, Children’s Common Schools Safe the Save of employment the by supported potentially Framework, Schools Safe the including protection, child to related protocols international conventions agreements, and and national endorsed of implementation the ensure to systems, analysis and collection data requisite including strategies, and plans De sure the centrality of protection such that that such protection of centrality sure the particularly sure children’s protection, velop joint, actionable, and costed national national costed and actionable, velop joint, • • • The should: community donor • •

made and of funding. distribution commitments of terms in both accordingly are met (HRP) Plan Response Humanitarian complementary the within costed and (HNO) Overview Needs UN’s Humanitarian the in humanitarian of needs Afghanistan identified modalities. protection child effective to ineffective from funds of reallocation through streams funding fewer in concentrated more and resulting which including partnerships, through interventions, proven of replication the encourage and NGOs Fa En respectively. justice, juvenile and punishment and detention on UNCRC the of 40 and Articles 37 well as as Rights Child of Protection the on Law the of 88 Article of violation in crimes, to confess forced and to stations police at mistreatment to subject have been children arrested that reported was it where instances law, some in national including into absorbed and by are abided UNCRC the and Children of Protection the on Law the of provisions the Al Al En communities. in sustainably them anchoring agencies, development to management case carry-over to need the including response, the of phase one exclusive are not to Afghanistan in children of needs the address to services requisite that recognition through well as as and funding multi-year through including projects, and actors for humanitarian dual-mandate and development Protection of Child Rights. of Protection Afghanistan’s the and on Law Declaration Schools Safe the as such agreements and laws protection child of implementation the for support including plans, future and vision government’s the with sectors development ong with humanitarian agencies, ensure that that ensure agencies, humanitarian with ong ign funding for the humanitarian and and humanitarian for the funding ign cilitate the sharing of best practices among among practices best of sharing the cilitate courage and support increased coordination coordination increased support and courage sure funding requirements reflecting the the reflecting requirements sure funding Annexes

Annex I: Research framework

Primary research Sub-questions Data collection question methodology

How are children • How is the mental health of children affected by • Structured interviews affected by conflict conflict? with parents; in Afghanistan? • How is the physical health of children affected? • FGDs and structured • How is their access to education affected? interviews with children; • How does economic hardship affect children? • KIIs with government • Do they experience discrimination based on religious and development or ethnic affiliations? partners;

What can be done • What can each of the following stakeholders do to • Structured interviews to effectively effective protect children? with parents; protect children in 1. Children; • FGDs and structured the research areas 2. Households; interviews with in Afghanistan? children; 3. Community-level influencers such as village elders, village heads, and religious figures; • KIIs with government and development 4. Community-level structures such as Community partners; Development Councils (CDCs) and District Development Associations (DDAs); 5. SCI local partners; 6. Provincial government entities such as Directorates of Labor, Education, Health, and Refugees and Repatriation; 7. National government agencies such as Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, (MoLSA), Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), and Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation (MoRR); 8. International organizations such as SCI, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other Child Protection Action Network (CPAN) members; 9. Civil society and media.

69 70 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE in conflict? children of needs protection child the to respond to capacity government’s the is What conflict? by affected or in children to services and responsive preventiveeffective, providing to barriers the are What question research Primary • • • • • • • • • • • Sub-questions

levels on child protection? child on levels provincial and national both at institutions government Wh protection? and rights child on policies national-level as well as laws national and international applicable Wh l Do conflict? in children of needs protection child the to respond to resources and capacity the have institutions government To w enforce laws? laws? enforce If so, how? so, If services? protection child of delivery the degrade or hinder organisations or national international to child protection within government institutions, school? in enrolment as such services to children’sor access services protection child of delivery the prevent that how? so, if And services? protection child of delivery impact organisations development and entities government Ho Ho Do b Do Ar buildings) hospital and school of (eg, lack services? protection child of delivery the Ho Do services? protection child of delivery impact Ho services? protection child of delivery impact services? protection e there barriers pertaining to civil documentation documentation civil to pertaining barriers e there w does a lack of or inadequate infrastructure impact impact infrastructure inadequate or of alack w does conflict to due populations of displacement w does information and data reliable of alack w does child of delivery the impact insecurity w does es a lack of linkages and coordination between between coordination and linkages of alack es at is the state of technical capacity of relevant relevant of capacity technical of state the is at of understanding government-level the is at aw enforcement and judicial actors adequately adequately actors judicial and enforcement aw hat extent do national and sub-national level level sub-national and national do extent hat udgetary constraints or inadequate allocation allocation inadequate or constraints udgetary • • • methodology Data collection

partners; development and agencies KI partners; development and agencies KI Li terature review review terature Is with government government with Is Is with government government with Is ANNEXES 71 Kabul Balkh Location UN agency UN agency UN agency UN agency UN agency International organisation International organisation International organisation entityGovernment entityGovernment entityGovernment entityGovernment NGO Local NGO Local NGO Local NGO Local entityGovernment entityGovernment entityGovernment entityGovernment Organisation typeOrganisation UNICEF IOM IOM UNHCR UNHCR TdH SCA WCC MoRR MoE MoE MoPH WADAN CAF AHDS AADA DoRR DoLSA DoE DoWA Organisation name Organisation Male Female Male Female Male Male Male Female Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Female Male Female Gender

Child Protection SpecialistChild Officer Protection Officer OfficerGender Officer Protection Manager Project Justice Human Rights Coordinator Senior Protection Child Officer Deputy Minister (Emergency) Head of Policy Unit Senior Advisor Advisor Technical Manager Project Director Managing Health Project Coordinator Program Director Grade 3 Officer Head Affairs of Children’s Unit Education Officer for Emergency Affairs Director

Key informant positionKey Annex II: ListAnnex II: of informants key 72 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE Key position informant IDP Affairs IDP and Returnees of Head Child Specialist Unit of Head Director Officer Affairs Children CPAN Coordinator Welfare of Unit Head Administrator Education Officer Programs of Head Gender Male Male Male Male Male Male Male Female Male Male Organisation name DoRR DoPH DoMD MoE DoLSA DoLSA DoMD DoPH DoE DoRR Organisation type Government entity Government entity Government entity Government entity Government entity Government entity Government entity Government entity Government entity Government entity Location Sar-e-Pul Faryab ANNEXES 73

of 7 of 7 1 1

Page Page Page Page

ing in the middle. middle. the in ing ing in the middle. middle. the in ing naal] game will be game will naal] naal] game will be game will naal] - nan nan-

- - . in their own words, the purpose purpose the own words, their in in their own words, the purpose purpose the own words, their in

GUIDE FOR CHILDREN FOR GUIDE GUIDE FOR CHILDREN FOR GUIDE

20 minutes)20 20 minutes)20 - - the ball. ball. the the ball. ball. the refreshments (snacks, juice, water) juice, (snacks, refreshments nacks and water will be provided throughout the FGD. the throughout provided be will andwater nacks nacks and water will be provided throughout the FGD. the throughout provided be will andwater nacks answer a question or leave the FGD. They should also stress, stress, also should They FGD. the leave or a question answer answer a question or leave the FGD. They should also stress, stress, also should They FGD. the leave or a question answer

and introduction (15 introduction and and introduction (15 introduction and Protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan children issues affecting Protection Protection issues affecting children in AfghanistanProtection issues Assessing child in exacerbating of conflict the impact Assessing child the impact of conflict in exacerbating ay their name and their favorite animal. This will go on until everyone has said said has everyone until on go will This animal. favorite name andtheir their ay ay their name and their favorite animal. This will go on until everyone has said said has everyone until on go will This animal. favorite name andtheir their ay FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS GROUP FOCUS FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS GROUP FOCUS ing the FGD. Finally, researchers will repeat that no payment or other rewards will be will rewards other paymentno or that repeat will researchers FGD. Finally, the ing ing the FGD. Finally, researchers will repeat that no payment or other rewards will be will rewards other paymentno or that repeat will researchers FGD. Finally, the ing

said dur said for except participants, to provided understand, researchers should ask a few children to explain, to children few a ask should researchers understand, misunderstanding, or confusion of case In in. result will participation FGD the their andwhat of happen to bad will nothing that repeat also should Researchers again. and explain rephrase not to decide they if children the also will Researchers want. they whenever questions ask to free are participants that again, participants FGD, fellow what the after others, with share not to participants the encourage played. Again, the participants will form a circle, but with one of them stand them of one with but acircle, form will participants the Again, played. the If circle. the in by participants thrown a ball catch have to will center the in Theparticipant will participant the caught, is ball the If circle. the in remains he/she ball, the misses child who threw child the with places switch this time FGD. The the first of purpose the explain briefly again will researchers this, Following fully participants Toensure child. the from assent informed obtaining to prior is explained is team and encourage openness. S openness. and encourage team other. each with participants the be a name game acquaint to will warm up activity The first whoever and ball a throw someone will circle, a in stand will researchers and Participants catchesitwill s [to tonanaal Afghan local the of a variation this, Following name. their Warm up activities Warm up activities by two be followed will This themselves. introduce FGD the will facilitating The researchers research the with trust build to and relax, to participants the for warm activities up introductory said dur said . water) juice, (snacks, for refreshments except participants, to provided understand, researchers should ask a few children to explain, to children few a ask should researchers understand, misunderstanding, or confusion of case In in. result will participation FGD the their andwhat of happen to bad will nothing that repeat also should Researchers again. and explain rephrase not to decide they if children the also will Researchers want. they whenever questions ask to free are participants that again, participants FGD, fellow what the after others, with share not to participants the encourage The participant in the center will have to catch a ball thrown by participants in the circle. If the the If circle. the in by participants thrown a ball catch have to will center the in Theparticipant will participant the caught, is ball the If circle. the in remains he/she ball, the misses child who threw child the with places switch this time FGD. The the first of purpose the explain briefly again will researchers this, Following fully participants Toensure child. the from assent informed obtaining to prior is explained is team and encourage openness. S openness. and encourage team other. each with participants the be a name game acquaint to will warm up activity Thefirst whoever and ball a throw someone will circle, a in stand will researchers and Participants catchesitwill s [to tonanaal Afghan local the of a variation this, Following name. their stand them of one with but acircle, form will participants the Again, played. Warm up activities Warm up activities by two be followed will This themselves. introduce FGD the will facilitating The researchers research the with trust build to and relax, to participants the for warm activities up introductory

FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS GUIDE FOR CHILDREN Annex III: DataAnnex III: collection tools

GUIDE FOR CHILDREN FOR GUIDE

20 minutes)20 Protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan Assessing the impact of conflict in exacerbating child FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS GROUP FOCUS The researchers facilitating the FGD will introduce themselves. This will be followed by two by two be followed will This themselves. introduce FGD the will facilitating The researchers research the with trust build to and relax, to participants the for warm activities up introductory 74 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE What isWhat going to happen now? children in Afghanistan. Afghan government to help understand them conflict how affects children so that they can better help impact of conflict onchildren. information The will bepresented in areport to the Save Children andthe T Purpose of thestudy consent. In decide case you to permit your child to participate, this certificate will to used be record your accidents, involve you or you your child will nor unable to guarantee that other participants will not disclose information shared during the FGD. and most effective course of action.It should be noted that cannot we assure full confidentiality are as we doing violence to others, I (the interviewer) will talk to your child and you in order to agree onthe safest protecting the welfare of your child. If your child mentions experiencing abuse, thoughts of suicide or for us to respect and protect the privacy of your child. However, it is not important more to us than information will bestored in aplace that only the research will team haveaccess to. It is very important Your child’s andother name details that would identify your child’s identity will not becollected. All the Confidentiality and at the end, you decide whether to permit your child to participate or not. proceednow to read the information below to you. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have, the purpose of the research as w education, health, andwell likeAfghan government andNGOs the Save Children to better help children in Afghanistan regarding Your opposition

distress and taken necessary steps to minimize or eliminate them. Your child ’s Risks benefits and of participation FGD skip questions he/she conflict youfeel? make The group discussions with children in Kabul, Faryab,-e- Sar future. will We ask your child informed decision as to whether or not let your child participate in the purposeThe ofthis form is to provide you information aboutthe research sothat an can you make Introduction If during the FGD. find out from children themselves what effects conflict has andwhat help children andin neednow the ARM ConsultingARM focalpoint Ziauddin at Wahaj his research is carried Consulting out by ARM for the Save Children, aninternational to NGO, study the a you at any point, there will be no penalty child will not receive benefits from participation in this research, but the information will allow the discussion will take about

n This will help organizations like the Save Children improve their work re or o penalt

uncomfortable with any part of this study or have questions at alater stage

kidnapping Parental CertificateofConsentforChildren’sParticipationinFGD re- groups. safety is important more than anything else to havethought us. We alot about possible risks

traumatiz

y. y. In addition to these,

does not w few or ” and “Do you ever stay from school home because of conflict? ation

the location of being the targeted FGD by

simple questions about what it is like to beachild living in conflict. be paid for participating. - being.

due 1- ell as topics to becovered andanswer questions have. you may I will There are no expe ish 2 hours to the sensitive nature of the research

to answer unforeseeable for withdrawing . . Examples of questions will we be asking include does “How 0783469379. . Similarly, if if Similarly, . Refreshments nses related to your child’s participation in the FGD risks could also Pul andBalkh province

your child wishes to stop R isks have identified we include emotional (snacks,

FGD arise. arise. armed , . I (the interviewer) will describe physical insecurity incase of

Refusal juice, . .

We willWe beconducting focus groups s. s.

water)

to and/or

participate participating in the ,

may contact may you “ Y “ will be be will our child can

government We Page

provided

want to will 2 of 7

ANNEXES 75

of 7 3 Page Page about it. Any it. about t for my child to participate in the FGD. the in participate to my child for t

(for respondents with no literacy, thumb print can be used instead of signature): signature): of instead used be can print thumb literacy, no with respondents (for ate arent/caregiver:

______I understand the nature of this research and have had the opportunity to ask questions questions ask to opportunity the had have and research this of nature the understand I consen I my satisfaction. to been answered have asked I questions p Name the of ______Location (District, Province): ______d and Signature Signature

76 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE reason, cannot we promise to keep everything a secret. But whatever do, we will we speak with you first. very important to us. But it is not important more to us than protecting your safety and happiness. For this not bein this report andnoonewill beable to what you know said or you are who from the report. This is When we havefinished we When this andother after happens What the theand Save Children to better help children in Afghanistan. willYou not receive benefits from being in this study, but your answers will help the Afghan government addition to these, unforeseeable risks could being targetedFGD by If you want to be in the FGD due to the sensitive nature of the research taken necessary steps to minimize or eliminate them. Risks haveidentified we include emotional distress Your safety is important more than anything else to havethought us. We alot about possible risks and Risks and benefits of being in the discussion point think children and in need now the future. This will help organizations like the Save Childre We conflict. in living If you want to be in the understand, andif there is aquestion you donot want to answer, point,are you free to doso. can askYou questions at any time if there is something you donot lives

I am Introduction following script to explain the purpose of the study the and how FGD ora We willWe speak for about 1 again. what their participation will result in. In case of confusion or misunderstandings, rephrase and explain To ensure full understanding, ask the suremake they are heard. Althoughcannot we promise to doeverything that yousay Pul andBalkh provinces. work will participate to Refusal is still upto youwhether or not youwill take Your parent/caregiver study because parent/caregiver. Please note that while parental consent is expressed in writ This step only must follow once the Parental Certificate of Consent has beensigned by a theassent oral mean we expression of willingness, onthe part of the child, to participate in the research. purposeThe of this form is to instruct you (the interviewer) to onhow obtain assent from children. By

feel?” “Doand you ever stay from school home because of conflict l. Note also that informed assent beobtained must for all children regardless of age. Please use the Instructions forobtainingchildren’sinformedassentparticipationinFGD (Interviewer name) . . We are doingWe the study for the Save Children. We willWe beconducting focus group discussions with children like yourself in Kabul, Faryab, Sar

your opinions are important to us. s , but will not be recording your voice or taking want to find out from children themselves what effects conflict has and what help you was asked was if you could be in this armed groupsarmed and/or government opposition groups or other hostile actions from ARM Consulting.from ARM I doing am a study to find out war changes how children’s

FGD - FGD involve nopenalt 2 hours

Examples Examples of questions will we beasking include “ , we

? ? will ask you a few simple questions about what it is like be to a child and snacks andjuice will beprovided FGD child to explain, in his/her words, own the purpose of and the FGD FGDs

y. y. also , part. donot You have to bein this study if you donot want to. , will we write a report about learned.what we will Your name physical insecurity in case of accidents, the location of the If you agree toyou participate, but feel like withdrawing arise. arise.

We want to askWe youif youwant to take part in this study. , we But, But, want to take your views into account and pictures. pictures. you can skipyou it ?” ?” e ven ifven your parent/caregiver agrees, it will take place.

. . My colleague My will notekey down How does conflictHow you make . ing , the child’s assent is

n improve their Page

at any 4 -e- of 7 . In In .

ANNEXES 77

of 7

5 Page Page

research this in part take to d agree as answered questions his/her had all as study this of purpose the understood as H H H 3. 2. 1.

child: and the Consent of Certificate Parental the obtained already have you if only assent the Accept may you contact stage, later a at questions have or study this of part any with uncomfortable are you If 0783469379. at Wahaj Ziauddin point focal ARM Consulting

78 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE

9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. No

Education level of participants: ofAge participants: Gender of participants: assignedCodes to participants : District Province facilitators FGD ID: file Audio Date:

Question

: : 10 = 9 = 8 = 7 = 6 = 5 = 3 = 2 = 1 = 7 =Gosfandi 6 =Sancharak 10 = 9 = 8 = 7 = 6 = 5 = 3 = 2 = 1 = 2 =Boys Girls = 1 5 =Sar 4 =Pashtun Kot 3 =Maimana 2 = 1 =Kabul city 4 =Sar 3 =Kabul 2 =Faryab 1 =Balkh 2. 1. ………………………. 10 = 9 = 8 = 7 = 6 = 5 = 3 = 2 = 1 =

Sholgara

Note Taker Lead Facilitator

-e- -e-

Pul city Pul Pul

: ……………………………………

: ……………………………….

Answer

Page

6 of 7

ANNEXES 79

of 7 7 of 7 7

Page Page Page Page

How can your parents How parents your can

you act differently or do or differently you act

How can your parents How parents your can

who do you ask for help? Which help? who for do you ask , who do you ask for help? Which help? who for do you ask ,

Do you stay at home because you are scared? scared? home you are because at Do you stay

s school? Do you stay at home because you are scared? scared? home you are because at Do you stay

s school? How can government help you? help How government can

you go? you

How do we protect girls and boys? girls How do we protect

How do we protect girls and boys? girls How do we protect

your favorite food? What is your favorite fruit? favorite your What food? is favorite your Discussion questions Discussion questions Discussion

if you experience conflict? If you are scared you are If conflict? you experience if How do you feel when you Howmis do you feel If you are scared, where do where scared, are you If

CONTRIBUTION YOUR FOR ALL YOU THANK How do you feel when you Howmis do you feel If you are scared, where dogo? where you scared, are you If

CONTRIBUTION YOUR FOR ALL YOU THANK go for help help go for you go for help if you experience conflict? If you are scared you are If conflict? you experience if help you go for What about your teachers, what could they do? they could what teachers, your What about

What about your teachers, what could they do? How can government help you? help How do? government can they could what teachers, your What about Are there hospitals or doctors that can help children? help can that doctors or hospitals there Are safe? Where do you feel How be made community your safer? can help? say? to like would you else anything there Is How does conflict make you feel? How long do you feel that way? Does it make way? Does it that How feel do you long make you feel? How conflict does it? about hear or conflict when see happens you What else differently? things conflict? of because home school from stay Do you ever of? you scared What are Wheredo you? help to trust do you adults Who likes cricket? Who is your favorite Afghan cricketer? Who among you can play cricket? Who cricket? among play you can cricketer? Afghan favorite Who your is cricket? Who likes What is today? What have you eaten the in you have seen that conflicts of some What are kinds is? Does conflict know anyone what etc? market, school, community,

Are there hospitals or doctors that can help children? help can that doctors or hospitals there Are safe? Where do you feel How be made community your safer? can say? to like would you else anything there Is How does conflict make you feel? How long do you feel that way? Does it make you act differently or do or make way? differently Does it you act that How feel do you long make you feel? How conflict does it? about hear or conflict when see happens you What else differently? things conflict? of because home school from stay Do you ever Wheredo you? help to trust do you adults Who likes cricket? Who is your favorite Afghan cricketer? Who among you can play cricket? Who cricket? among play you can cricketer? Afghan favorite Who your is cricket? Who likes fruit? favorite your What food? is favorite your What is today? What have you eaten Does anyone know what conflict is? What are some kinds of conflicts that you have seen in the the in you have seen that conflicts of some What are kinds is? Does conflict know anyone what etc? market, school, community, help? What are you scared of? you scared What are

16. 17. 18. 19. 13. 14. 15. 10. 11. 12.

16. 17. 18. 19. 13. 14. 15. 10. 11. 12.

introductory up activities warm for the participants to relax, and to build trust with the research researchersThe facilitating will the FGD introduce themselves. This will befollowed bytwo FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS Assessing theimpactofconflictinexacerbating child Assessing Protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan Protection issues affectingchildren inAfghanistan 20 minutes) 80

AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE GUIDE FOR CHILDREN

QUESTIONNAIRE FORQUESTIONNAIRE INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS WITH CHILDREN

Instructions: Instructions:

(viii) (vii) (viii) (vii) (vi) (v) (vi) (v) (i) (i) (iv) (iv) (iii) (iii) (ii) (ii) sure to end the interview with emphasis on the happy aspect of the drawing. At the endof the interview, please collect the drawings insofar children permit. Please make sure to end the interview with emphasis on the happy aspect of the drawing. and assent from parent andchild respondent. At the endof the interview, please collect the drawings insofar children permit. Please make child is he/she feels comfortable. Please pay due attention to obtaining certificates of consent interview with the parent is completed, please ask few questions (as outlined below) from the and assent feels safe. child is he/she feels comfortable. Please pay due attention to obtaining certificates of consent encourage her/him to draw something interview with the parent is completed, please ask few questions (as outlined below) from the For Field Researchers feels safe. encourage her/him to draw something ExerciseDrawing with Children: For Field Researchers ExerciseDrawing with Children:

forunless recommended specific questions; Please do not read the answers of the multiple forunless recommended specific questions; Please do not read the answers of the multiple opinions); Please fill out thequestionnaire with the respondent’s replies (do not include your own opinions); Please ask each question clearly and patiently ensure that the respondent understands; Please fill out thequestionnaire with the respondent’s replies (do not include your own Please ask each question clearly and patiently ensure that the respondent understands; Avoid the use of jargon and technical terms; Avoid the use of jargon and technical terms; but cannot hear what is being discussed; Please conduct the interview in a place where the parent/caregiver can see his/her child but cannot hear what is being discussed; obtain the Certificate of As Please conduct the interview in a place where the parent/caregiver can see his/her child If/once parent/caregiver certificate of consent is obtained, please goto the child to obtain the Certificate of As as clearly as possible, using simple and plain language; If/once parent/caregiver certificate of consent is obtained, please goto the child to Consent. as clearly as possible, using simple and plain language; Obtain the parent/caregiver consent in written using the parent/caregiver Certificate of Consent. Obtain the parent/caregiver consent in written using the parent/caregiver Certificate of interviews] in light of the local greeting context; possible carry with you your introduction letter or identity card whenever conducting interviews] in light of the local greeting context; Before starting the interview, please introduce yourself to the child’sparent/caregiver [if possible carry with you your introduction letter or identity card whenever conducting Before starting the interview, please introduce yourself to the child’sparent/caregiver [if QUESTIONNAIRE FOR INDIVIDUAL INTERVEIWSWITHCHILDREN FORINDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE INTERVEIWSWITHCHILDREN FORINDIVIDUAL QUESTIONNAIRE As theAs child is drawing, pleas As theAs child is drawing, pleas from parent andchild respondent.

Assessing theimpactofconflictinexacerbatingchild Assessing Assessing theimpactofconflictinexacerbatingchild Assessing For parents/caregivers with no literacy, please read the script in the certificate For parents/caregivers with no literacy, please read the script in the certificate

Protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan Protection issuesaffectingchildreninAfghanistan Protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan Protection issuesaffectingchildreninAfghanistan

: Please distribute blank papers andcrayons to child respondent, and : Please distribute blank papers andcrayons to child respondent, and set; set;

that him makes happy or to draw aplace where he/she that him makes happy or to draw aplace where he/she e conduct the interview with his/her parent. the Once e conduct the interview with his/her parent. the Once

- - choice questions to the respondents, choice questions to the respondents,

of 7 Page 1of of 7 Page 1of

ANNEXES 81

wer) will the safest safest the bout it. Any Page 2 of 7 may contact I will note down note will I If for any reason reason any for If . .

, you , ?” physical insecurity in case of of case in insecurity physical , armed groups and/or government government and/or armed groups

arise. Similarly, stop to wishes child if your we have identified include emotional emotional include wehave identified . it. also Risks Risks

y will not be penalized in any way for doing so doing any way for in be penalized not y will Examples of questions we will be asking include “How does does “How include be asking we will questions Examples of let your child participate in this research. I (the intervie (the I research. this in participate child your let . the unforeseeable risks could risks unforeseeable questions about what it is like to be a child living in conflict. The conflict. in living be a child to like is it what about questions

There are no expenses related to your child’s participation in the the in participation child’s your to related no expenses are There

due to the sensitive nature of the research the of nature sensitive the due to 15 minutes 10- penalty. penalty.

In addition to these, these, to addition In

traumatization arent/caregiver: -

safety is more important than anything else to us. We have thought a lot about possible risks risks possible about lot a We thought have us. to else anything than more important is safety re

uncomfortable with any part of this study or have questions at a later stage a later at questions have or study this of part any with uncomfortable

nor will you or your child be paid for participating. for paid be child your or you will nor in Research Participation Consent for Children’s Certificate of Parental you are his research is carried out by ARM Consulting for Save the Children, an international NGO, to study the the NGO, study to an international Children, Save the for ARM by out Consulting carried is research his ARM Consulting focal point Ziauddin Wahaj at 0783469379. Wahaj at Ziauddin point focal ARMConsulting Signature a questions ask to opportunity the had have and research this of nature the understand I be interviewed. to my child for consent I my satisfaction. to been answered have asked I questions the allow will information the but research, this in participation from benefits receive not will child Your regarding in Afghanistan children help better to Children Save the and NGOs government Afghan like . being and well health, education, interview If distress or or distress by FGD targeted the being of location the or kidnapping accidents, . groups opposition p Name the of Your child’s name and other details that would identify your child’s identity will not be collected. All the the All collected. be not will identity child’s your identify would that details name and other child’s Your important very is It to. have access team will research the only that a place in be stored will information than us to more important not is it However, your child. of privacy the protect and respect to us for or suicide of thoughts abuse, experiencing mentions child your If child. your of welfare the protecting on agree to order in and you child your to talk will interviewer) (the I others, to violence doing action. of course effective and most participation of and benefits Risks ’s child Your them. eliminate or minimize to steps necessary and taken Confidentiality interview will take about about take will interview now? happen to going What is a few child your ask simpleWe will describe the purpose of the research as well as topics to be covered and answer questions you may you questions and answer be covered to topics as well as research the of purpose the describe you questions any ask to free feel Please you. to below information the read to now proceed will I have. to Refusal not. or participate to child your permit to whether you decide end, the and at have, might no involve will participate your record beused to will certificate this participate, to child your permit to you case decide In consent. study the of Purpose T and the Children Save the to a report in be presented will The information on children. conflict of impact help better can they that so children affects how conflict them understand help to government Afghan Afghanistan. in children Introduction The purpose of this form is to provide you information about the research so that you can make you can an that so research the about information you provide to is form this of The purpose to not or whether to as decision informed

your child does not want to answer a question, he/she can skip skip can he/she a answer question, to want not does child your any point, at survey the in participating conflict make you feel?” and “Do you ever stay home from school because of conflict of because home school from stay ever you and “Do make you feel?” conflict your answers on my tablet/mobile phone, but I will not be recording your child’s voice or taking pictures. pictures. taking or voice child’s your be recording not will I but phone, on my answers your tablet/mobile 82 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE

Signature andd ______Province): (District, Location ______ate (for respondents with no literacy, thumb print can be used instead of signature): of 7 Page 3of ANNEXES 83

s

survey Page 4 of 7 may contact

, you , ssent is is assent child’s the ing, d include emotional distress distress emotional d include questions about what it is like to be a child child a be to like is it what about questions

stop the interview whenever you want. You want. you whenever interview the stop We want to ask you if you want to take part in this this in part take to you want you if We ask to want

will be asking include “Where do you feel most safe in in safe most “Where do you feel include asking be will . . I

few simple arise.

. I am doing a study to find out how war changes children’s children’s how changes war out find to study a am doing I . sical insecurity in case of accidents, the location of the the of location the accidents, of case in insecurity physical , . Youalso can . also y

nsulting you can skip it you skip can

will note down your answers on my tablet/mobile phone, but I will not not will I but phone, on my down answers your note tablet/mobile will study. Even if your parent/caregiver agrees, it is is it agrees, parent/caregiver your Even if study. this be in you could if I I Examples of questions questions Examples of hour.

interview fromARM Co armed groups and/or government opposition groups or other hostile actions. In actions. hostile other or groups opposition government and/or armed groups l expression of willingness, on the part of the child, to participate in the research. research. the in participate to child, the of part the on willingness, of expression l ora ?” help for Whoto go do you n the interview, I will ask you “ cannot promise to do everything that you say, I want to take your views into account and account into views your take to want I you say, that do everything to promise cannot ipate will involve no penalt involve will ipate your opinions are important to us. us. to important are opinions your

and

” uncomfortable with any part of this study or have questions at a later stage a later at questions have or study this of part any with uncomfortable

We are doing the study for Save the Children. Save the for study the We doing are . Although I I Although . . . (Interviewer name) (Interviewer . Note also that informed assent must be obtained for all children regardless of age. Please use the the use Please age. of regardless children all for obtained mustbe assent informed that also Note . you are Instructions for obtaining children’s informed assent for participation in Research for participation informed assent children’s for obtaining Instructions make sure they are heard. are they make sure the in be to want you If i be to want you If By children. from assent obtain on how to interviewer) (the you instruct to is form this of The purpose we meanassent the can ask questions you have at any time if there is something you do not understand, and if there is a is there and if understand, you do not something is there if any time you have at questions ask can answer, to want do not you question want to find out from children themselves what effects conflict has and what help you help and what has conflict effects what themselves living children in from conflict. out find to I want their improve Children Save the like organizations help will This future. the nowneed in and children think work

your village? your the of purpose the own words, his/her in explain, to child the ask understanding, full To ensure and what their participation will result in. In case of confusion or misunderstandings, rephrase and explain and explain rephrase misunderstandings, or confusion of case In in. result will participation their and what again. an about for speak We will pictures. take or voice your be recording interview the in being of benefits and Risks and risks possible about a lot We us. thought have to else anything than more important is safety Your we have identifie Risks them. eliminate or minimize to steps necessary taken research the of nature sensitive the due to ARM Consulting focal point Ziauddin Wahaj 0783469379. at Ziauddin point focal ARM Consulting child: and the Consent of Certificate Parental the obtained already have you if only assent the Accept This step must only follow once the Parental Certificate of Consent has been signed by a by been signed has Consent of Certificate Parental the once follow must only step This writ in expressed is consent parental while that note Please parent/caregiver. study because study was asked parent/caregiver Your to. want do not you if study this be in to have You do not part. take you will not or you whether up to still partic to Refusal FGD being targeted by FGD targeted being could risks unforeseeable these, to addition government Afghan the help will answers your but study, this in being from benefits receive not You will Afghanistan. in children help better to Children and Save the interview? the What happens after Your we what learned. about a report write we will interviews, and other this When we have finished very is This who are. you or said know you what to be able and no one will report this be in not name will thi For and happiness. safety your protecting than us to more important not is it But us. to important reason, we cannot promise to keep everything a secret. But whatever we do, we will speak with you first. first. you with speak we will we do, whatever But secret. a everything keep to promise we cannot reason, If oral place. take will interview howand the study the of purpose the explain to script following Introduction am I lives 84 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE

1. 2. 3. H H H as understood the purpose of this study as hadall his/her questions answered as expressly agreed to take part in this research

of 7 Page 5of ANNEXES 85 Page 6 of 7

Answer

Pul Pul city

-e- -e- 3 = At school 3 = At school way4 = On to the market the 5 = In market the way6 = On to the checkpoints 7 = At buildings government 8 = Near specify) (please 9 = Others 1 = At home1 = At areas recreational and other playgrounds 2 = Parks, 1 = Father 2 = Mother members family immediate 3 = Other …………………………………… 1 = Balkh 2 = Faryab 4 = Sar 1 = Girls 2 = Boys home1 = At areas recreational and other playgrounds 2 = Parks, school 3 = At school way4 = On to the market the 5 = In market the way6 = On to the checkpoints 7 = At buildings government 8 = Near specify) (please 9 = Others 4 = Relatives 5 = Friends 6 = Neighbors figures 7 = Religious 8 = Teachers 3 = Kabul elders 9 = Village workers 10 = Doctors/health …………………………………… 1 = Kabul city 1 = Kabul 2 = Sholgara 3 = Maimana Kot 4 = Pashtun 1 = Yes …………………………………… 5 = Sar 2 = No 6 = Sancharak 7 = Gosfandi

Question

Background Information Background help? for Whoto go do you Where do you feel most unsafe in in unsafe most Where do you feel your village? Where do you feel most safe in in safe most Where do you feel village? your Age of respondent: Age of school? Do go to you why not? no, If District: respondent: of Gender Province: Interview Date: Interview Name: Interviewer Name: Supervisor

Part A –

No 12. 11. 10. 9. 6. 7. 8. 5. 4. 2. 3. 1. 86 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE 13. 14.

Thank you forvery much taking the time out to answer the questions.

scared? youare doyougowhen Where the most for help? them, doyoutrust who Among

5 =Police station 4 =Mosque 3 =Park/Playground 2 =School 1 =Home 6 =Others (Please specify) 12 =Others (please specify) 11 =Government officials 12 =Others (please specify) 11 =Government officials 10 =Doctors/health workers 9 =Village elders 8 =Teachers 7 =Religious figures 6 =Neighbors 5 =Friends 4 =Relatives 3 =Other immediate family members 2 =Mother 1 =Father THANK YOU

of 7 Page 7of ANNEXES 87

[if [if [if Page 1 of 8 Page 1 of 8 not include your own your include not own your include not

respondents; the to questions ce respondents; the to questions ce choi choi - - other other being is what hear cannot people other being is what hear cannot people

your introduction letter or identity card whenever conducting conducting whenever card identity or letter introduction your conducting whenever card identity or letter introduction your and technical terms; and technical terms; and technical SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRESURVEY PARENTS FOR QUESTIONNAIRESURVEY PARENTS FOR

in light of the local greeting context; greeting local the of light in context; greeting local the of light in

Protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan children issues affecting Protection Protection issues affecting children in AfghanistanProtection issues

Assessing child in exacerbating of conflict the impact Assessing child in exacerbating of conflict the impact Before starting the interview, please introduce yourself to the child’s parent/caregiver parent/caregiver child’s the to yourself introduce please interview, the starting Before you with carry possible parent/caregiver child’s the to yourself introduce please interview, the starting Before you with carry possible interviews] interviews] Obtain the parent/caregiver consent in written using the parent/caregiver Certificate of of Certificate parent/caregiver the using written in consent parent/caregiver the Obtain certificate the in script the read please noliteracy, with Parent/caregiver For Consent. of Certificate parent/caregiver the using written in consent parent/caregiver the Obtain language; plain and simple using possible, as clearly as certificate the in script the read please noliteracy, with Parent/caregiver For Consent. language; plain and simple using possible, as clearly as Once and if the parent/caregiver certificate of consent is obtained, please go please with ahead obtained, is consent of certificate parent/caregiver the Once and if interview; the go please with ahead obtained, is consent of certificate parent/caregiver the Once and if interview; the Avoid the use of jargon of use the Avoid jargon of use the Avoid opinions); opinions); Please fill out the questionnaire with the respondent’s replies (do replies respondent’s the with questionnaire the out fill Please (do replies respondent’s the with questionnaire the out fill Please Please conduct the interview in a place where where place a in interview the conduct Please discussed; where place a in interview the conduct Please understands; respondent the that ensure patiently and clearly question each ask Please discussed; understands; respondent the that ensure patiently and clearly question each ask Please Please do not read the answers of the multiple the of answers the read not do Please multiple the of answers the read not do Please unless recommended for specific questions; specific recommended unless for questions; specific recommended unless for

(ii) (ii) (iii) (iii) (i) (i) (vi) (vi) (iv) (iv) (v) (v) (viii) (viii) (vii) (vii)

KeyInstructions: KeyInstructions:

SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PARENTS QUESTIONNAIRE FOR SURVEY

GUIDE FOR CHILDREN FOR GUIDE

20 minutes)20 Protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan Assessing the impact of conflict in exacerbating child FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS GROUP FOCUS The researchers facilitating the FGD will introduce themselves. This will be followed by two by two be followed will This themselves. introduce FGD the will facilitating The researchers research the with trust build to and relax, to participants the for warm activities up introductory 88 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE the Children to better help children in Afghanistan regarding education, health, and well being benefits f If There are noexpenses related to participating in the will survey andyou not groups. kidnapping or the location of being the targeted FGD by questions I asked have beenanswered to satisfaction. my I consent to beinterviewed. I understand the nature of this research and have had the opportunity to ask questions Signature ConsultingARM focal point Ziauddin atWahaj 0783469379.

Province): (District, Location ______of theName p re or taken necessary steps to minimize or eliminate them. Risks have identified we include emotional distress Your Risks benefits and your in aplace that only the research will team haveaccess to. It is very important for us to respect andprotect andotherYour name details that would identify Confidentiality children In decide case you to participate, this certificate will to used be record your consent. at the end, you decide whether to participate or not.Refusal to participatewill involve penal no proceed to read the information below to you. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have, and purpose of the research as well as topicscovered to andanswer questions be have. I youmay will now informed decision as to whether or not to purposeThe of this form is to provide youinformation about the research so that an youcan make Introduction Purpose of the research asking include “ ask will We isWhat going to happen now? children in Afghanistan. Afghan government to help understand them conflict how affects children so that they can better help impact of conflict onchildren. information The will bepresented in areport to the Save Children andthe T pictures. pictures. I will note your down tablet/mobileanswers on my phone, but I will not be recording your voice or taking survey, you can opt out andthere will benopenalty for doing so. wish to answer aquestion, youcan skip it. Similarly, if you at anypoint his research is carried Consulting out by ARM for the Save Children, aninternational to NGO, study the you areyou

- privacy traumatization safety is important more than anything else to havethought us. We alot about possible risks and In addition to these, feel or uncomfortable with any part of this study or have questions at alater stage

your participation, but the information will allow the likeAfghan government and NGOs Save you . .

most

Parental CertificateofConsentforParticipationintheSurvey arent/caregiver:

33 Are

safe simple questions about

due to the sensitive nature of the research of participation there

in

your

ial psychosoc unforeseeable risks could

village?

The interviewThe will take about counselling participate in this research. I (the interviewer) will describe the the lives of children conflict. in willyou not becollected. All the information will bestored services also

arise. arise. armed groupsarmed and/or government opposition

providers , physical insecurity in case of accidents,

a n hour. wish in

Examples ofExamples questions I will be

your If, to stop participating in the for anyreason be pai

area?” and

d , you can nor

about it. Any receive . of 8 Page 2of , ty. ty. youdonot

“ Where contact any

do

ANNEXES 89

Page 3 of 8 (for respondents with no literacy, thumb print can be used instead of signature): signature): of instead used be can thumbprint literacy, no with respondents (for ate

______and d Signature ______

90 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE

5. 4. 3. 2. 1. No

5 4 3 2 1 Part A – A Part

PNTA =Prefer PNTA not to answer education No applies onrespondent has noformal who or informal education (tutoring, literacy courses, schooling, home etc)

All other areas except district centers refersUrban to district centers It applies onrespondent who hasnot attended anyschool/university, but has studied at home or Madrassa.

Interview Date Interview by theList order members of HH age gender andage? about your Could youplease provide information your isWhat the average monthly income of HH? isWhat primary income source of your isWhat your highest level of education? ofAge respondent Area specification Gender of respondent District: Province : Supervisor Name: Interviewer Name: Background Information HH (AFN)? HH : : members inmembers terms of Question

: :

.

: : .

4 =Sar 3 = 2 = 7 =Gosfandi 6 =Sancharak …………………………………… 9 =PNTA 8 =I don’t know 7 =University level education 6 =Grade 14 5 =Completed 1 =Urban 2 =Male 1 =Female 5 =Sar 4 =Pashtun Kot 3 =Maimana 2 = 1 =Kabul city 1 = 2 = 2 =Rural 4 =Completed 3 =Completed others5 =Any (Please specify) business4 =Own 3 =Formal employment 2 =Daily labor wage 1 =Farming/Agriculture education1 =No …………………………………… …………………………………… No

Home schooling/tutoring Home Kabul Faryab Sholgara Balkh -e- -e- 2

5 1 Pul Pul city Pul

Age

high school education (Class 11- secondary education (Class 7 primary education (Class 1-

3

Answer 4

Gender (F/M)

6)

- of 8 Page 4of 10) 12)

ANNEXES 91

Page 5 of 8

(Tick all that apply for every child in in child every for apply that all (Tick the Household) the

harm isolation - -

8

7

6

9 Symptoms of Effects Effects Symptoms of 7 = Self 8 = Self crime in 9 = Engaging (specify) 10 = Others and anxiety 1 = Fearfulness 2 = Excessive crying disturbance 3 = Sleep sadness 4 = Prolonged anger 5 = Pronounced children other against 6 = Violence

10 No Yes = Political violence No 1 = Always 1 = Yes 2 = know 3 = Don’t 1 = 2 = No know 3 = Don’t shelter) water, (food, services basic to access of 1 = Lack education to access of 3 = Lack family from 8 = Separation specify) (please 9 = Other 2 = Exposure to violence to 2 = Exposure healthcare to access of 4 = Lack livelihoods household of 6 = Loss members family of 7 = Loss 5 = Lack of access to psychosocial counselling psychosocial to access of 5 = Lack 2 = Very often often 2 = Very

3 = Sometimes 2 = Mother members family immediate 3 = Other 1 = Father 4 = Relatives 1 = Armed clashes bombings 2 = Aerial attacks 3 = Suicide IEDs or 4 = Landmines raids 5 = Night and robbery) looting (kidnappings, activity 6 = Criminal violence 7 = Sexual 8 4 = Rarely violence 9 = Ethnic punishment 10 = Corporal specify) (Please 11 = Others

Tick Tick

Tick all that children in your your in children Tick all that apply . day. every almost place what are its implications on implications its are what takes Impactof Conflict on Children’s Mental Health

B: Who do children go to for help? for go to Who do children If yes, how does conflict affect the the affect how conflict does yes, If your in children of behaviour household? If yes, If do conflict? community experience If yes, If community? your If yes, how often does it happen? it does how often yes, If If yes, what type of conflicts? conflicts? of type what yes, If apply that all apply Does conflict exist in your area? your in exist Does conflict

This is the number assigned to HH member under age of 18 years in question 5 question in 18 years HH age of member to under number assigned the is This If conflict takes place approximately every month. every approximately place takes conflict If a year. times multiple but month, happen every does not conflict If

If conflict If week. every almost place takes conflict If

Part 6 7 8 9 10

6. 12. 11. 10. 9. 8. 7. 92 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE 20. 19. 18. 17. 16. 15. 14. 13.

Part C: Impact of Conflict Children’s on Physical Health to Access Health and Services

your area Are there dochildrenWhere feel scared dochildrenWhere feel most community? children’s areWhat the main threats to

in your If no, not? why services? such access childrenDo in your community apply that all Tick If yes, offers who such services? services providers in your area? Are there psychosocial counselling

in your village physical ? ? hospitals or clinics in in clinics or hospitals ? ? village Tick all that apply that all Tick

safety in your ? ?

most

safe

11 =Others (Please specify) 3 =I don’t know 2 =No 1 =Yes 7 =Others (please specify) 10 =Corpo 9 =Ethnic violence violence Political = 8 7 =Sexual violence 6 =Criminal activity (kidnappings, looting androbbery) 5 =Night raids 4 =Landmines or IEDs 3 =Suicide attacks 2 =Aerial bombings clashes1 =Armed 9 =Others (please specify) 8 =Near government buildings 7 =At the to6 =On way the market 5 =In the market the to4 =On way school 3 =At school 2 =Parks, playgrounds andother recreational areas 1 =At home 6 = Near government6 =Near buildings 5 =At checkpoints 4 =In the market 3 =At school 2 =Parks, playgrounds andother recreational areas 1 =At home 3 =Don’t know 2 =No 1 =Yes 2 = NGOs 1 =Government 4 =Others (please specify) 3 =Private sector 12 =Others (please specify) 11 =Government officials 10 =Doctors/health workers 9 =Village elders 8 =Teachers 7 =Religious figures 6 =Neighbours 5 =Friends 3 =Don’t know 2 =No 1 =Yes 5 4 =Afraid to goto services providers 3 =Poor quality 2 =Cannot afford it 1 =Lack of knowledge about service = Others (Please specify) checkpoints

ral punishment

providers

of 8 Page 6of

ANNEXES 93

Page 7 of 8

for health facilities health for

Please tick all that apply for for apply that all tick Please ) child each

(

If not, If why not? 1 = Not yet of school age school of yet 1 = Not 2 = Insecurity school of 3 = Lack facilities school inadequate 4 = Poor/ 5 = Poor/inadequate school facilities for children with with children for facilities school 5 = Poor/inadequate disabilities school to 6 = Long distance insecurity due to school to alone walk to 7 = Inability disability due to school to alone walk to 8 = Inability work with 9 = Conflicts attitudes 10 = Conservative Tazkira of 11 = Lack schooling afford 12 = Cannot school in 13 = No interest teachers of 14 = Lack teachers qualified of 15 = Lack specify) (please 16 = Others

toilets for girls and boys and girls for toilets

dissatisfied

(Y/N) School

Attending Attending Slightly

= = No 6 = Toilets tailored to the needs of children with disabilities with children of needs the to tailored 6 = Toilets and hallways toilets classrooms, in lighting 7 = Adequate 1 = School building 1 = School wall 2 = Perimeter water drinking 3 = Clean 4 = Toilets 5 = Separate 1 = Highly satisfied 2 = Women dying at home during births 2 = Women home at during dying facilities health go to to afraid are staff 3 = Medical areas urban to go to forced are 4 = People specify) (Please 5 = Others 1 = Boys 2 = Girls 3 = Both 4 = No school 2 = Satisfied 3 = Neutral 1 = Yes 1 = Yes 1 = Yes facilities health go to to afraid are 1 = People 2 = No know don’t 3 = I 2 = No know don’t 3 = I 2 = No know don’t 3 = I

4 5 = Not at all satisfied 1 = Yes 2 = No know don’t 3 = I Tick all , , ?

school

Children’s Access to Education Access to Children’s on Conflict

is attending attending is children

do they have qualified qualified have do they , why? , how does it impact health health impact how it does , how satisfied are you with with you are how satisfied , : Impact: of

slightly dissatisfied at not or any of the the of any D Are there schools for boys and boys for schools there Are according to the best of your your of best the to according ?knowledge If If satisfied your of best the to According llowingfo the of which , knowledge facilitiesexist in the If If school education of quality the Please tell us about whether whether about us tell Please attend household your in children not? or school Age by information collect Please HH members all below for order years 18 of age the area? your in girls hospitals targeted in the conflict in in conflict the in targeted hospitals years? three last yes, If areas? your in services apply that If yes, do they have appropriate appropriate have they do yes, If equipment? medical appropriate have they do yes, If medicine? or been clinics Have there If yes, If ?and nurses doctors

1

Part

25. 24. 23. 22. 21. 29. 30. 28. 27. 26. 94 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE 32. 31. 33.

Thank you forvery much taking the time out to answer the survey questions. Part

information collect Please age? years age of 18 below the members HH order for all by Age the or not, in are working children your whether us about please tell Could you schooling? If yes, does it how three years? oppositionarmed groups used during conflict by a school ever beentargeted or theTo best of yourknowledge, has F

: Effects of Economic Hardship onChildren order of

No

Working (Y/N) impactchildren 1 =Home 7 =Others (specify) shiners6 =Shoe 5 =Street vendors 4 =Agriculture 3 =Mining industry 2 =Metal industry carpet weaving military or or military

What does last in , she/he do? - based Tick all that

apply for each

child

11 =Others (Please specify) 10 =Assassination of teachers/principals Afghan government security forces 9 =Exposure to sexual harassment at and/or of the AoG hands 8 =Over toilets7 =No 6 = location 5 =Having to endure harsh weather conditions dueto inferior 4 =High absence rate 3 =I don’t know 2 =No 1 =Yes 3 open space, etc. 2 =Attending classes in alternative locations e.g. under trees, 1 =Closure of schools 8 =Don’t know = High drop-

How many L ack of basic learning materials THANK YOU hours per

-

week? crowding classrooms of other schools 15 = None of15 =None the above 14 =Threats 13 =Lower than average pay 12 =Bullying 11 =Sexual harassment 10 =Working at night 9 =Dangerous/sharp tools 8 =Chemical substances 7 =Lifting heavyloads 6 =Inadequate lighting 5 =Inadequate space ventilation Insufficient = 4 3 =Extreme temperatures 2 =Loudnoises 1 =Dust

out rate

Workplace

challenges

(Tick all that apply for each

child)

Does school interfere with studies? (Y/N)

time to school 5 =Cannot arrive on 4 =Missing classes grades3 =Low schooling for time Insufficient = 2 classes 1 =Feeling tired 6 =Others (specify)

of 8 Page 8of If yes, how? (Tick all that

apply for every in in child)

Endnotes

1 United Nations General Assembly, Annual Report of the Secretary-General 23 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Health? on Children and Armed Conflict. S/2019/509 (20 June 2019): %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no https://undocs.org/s/2019/509 &%3AshowVizHome=no 2 https://unama.unmissions.org/civilian-deaths-afghan-conflict-2018- 24 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Gender? highest-recorded-level-%E2%80%93-un-report %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no 3 For the sake of this research, being personally impacted by conflict &%3AshowVizHome=no is defined as direct or indirect exposure of a child to conflict Examples 25 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Sectors included child casualties, facing fighting or attack, loss of a family ofEmployment?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true member, witnessing a conflict-related incident in the community, &%3Adisplay_count=no&%3AshowVizHome=no and others. 26 https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/1458001.html 4 United Nations General Assembly, Annual Report of the Secretary-General 27 http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/ on Children and Armed Conflict. S/2019/509 (20 June 2019): demograph-statistics/3897111 https://undocs.org/s/2019/509 28 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Education? 5 Health Facilities Partially or Fully Damaged. Ministry of Public Health. %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no Internal document shared informally with the researchers. Dari title &%3AshowVizHome=no ?https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Health 29 یلک ای و یمسق) هدش بیرخت یحص زکارم :of document 6 Availability for the purpose of this research was defined as the %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no existence of psychosocial counselling service provider(s) in the target &%3AshowVizHome=no areas. Availability of service providers does not necessarily mean that 30 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Gender? children and households have access to them, because accessibility %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no depends on several factors, including geographical distance and &%3AshowVizHome=no affordability. 31 7 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Sectors List of Schools Targeted in the Conflict – Provincial Breakdown by Year. ofEmployment?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true Ministry of Education. Internal document shared informally with the &%3Adisplay_count=no&%3AshowVizHome=no researchers. Dari title of document: 32 دروم گنج رثالاب هک بتاکم دادعت https://www.ecoi.net/en/document/1458001.html لاس و تیالو کیکفت هب - تسا هدش ررضتم ای هتفرگ رارق هلمح 33 8 Ibid. http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/ demograph-statistics/3897111 9 United Nations General Assembly, Annual Report of the Secretary-General 34 on Children and Armed Conflict. S/2019/509 (20 June 2019): https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Education? https://undocs.org/s/2019/509 %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no &%3AshowVizHome=no 10 UNOCHA Financial Tracking Service, https://fts.unocha.org/appeals/ 35 512/summary https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Health? 11 %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no Population by Sex and Age Groups 2017–18, http://cso.gov.af/en/ &%3AshowVizHome=no page/demography-and-socile-statistics/demograph-statistics/3897111 36 12 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Gender? The populations of police districts in Kabul vary, but the population %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no figures are not publicly available, thus the sample sizes were calculated &%3AshowVizHome=no based on the total population of Kabul city (4,117,414) divided by the 37 number of police districts (22), and assuming that all districts comprise https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Sectors roughly the same number of inhabitants. ofEmployment?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true &%3Adisplay_count=no&%3AshowVizHome=no 13 600 surveys divided by 9 districts = 66 households. Two settlements/ 38 villages were selected in each district, so that 33 families in each http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/ settlement/village could have been selected. demograph-statistics/3897111 39 14 https://www.longwarjournal.org/mapping-taliban-control-in- Mean refers to the average used to determine the central tendency afghanistan in a dataset. It is calculated by totalling all the data points (in this case 15 respondents’ age) from the surveyed population and dividing it by the http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/ total number of respondents (600 in this case). demograph-statistics/3897111 40 16 Median refers to the middle value in a dataset that has been https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Education? arranged in order from smallest to largest. %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no 41 &%3AshowVizHome=no http://www.unesco.org/new/en/kabul/education/youth-and-adult- education/enhancement-of-literacy-in-afghanistan-iii/ 17 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Health? 42 %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no 1 USD = AFN 77.5 &%3AshowVizHome=no 43 http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/global-poverty- 18 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Gender? line-faq %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no 44 https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/ &%3AshowVizHome=no 30293/129163-REVISED-AFG-Development-Update-Aug-2018- 19 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Sectors FINAL.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y ofEmployment?%3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true 45 Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict 2018: &%3Adisplay_count=no&%3AshowVizHome=no https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/2019_report_of_the_ 20 https://www.longwarjournal.org/mapping-taliban-control-in- secretary-general_on_protection_of_civilians_in_armed_conflict.pdf afghanistan 46 Ibid. 21 http://cso.gov.af/en/page/demography-and-socile-statistics/ 47 The situation in Afghanistan and its implications for international peace demograph-statistics/3897111 and security. Report of the Secretary General 2019. United Nations. 22 https://dataviz.worldbank.org/views/2014PB92Final-Tabs/Education? %3Aembed=y&%3AshowShareOptions=true&%3Adisplay_count=no &%3AshowVizHome=no

95 96 AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE title: Dari Education. document shared Internal informally researchers. with نانکراکدادعت تساهدشیمخزایهتشکگنجهکبتاکم نانکراک دادعت a-decade-1.558577 munitions-in-2018-in-afghanistan-than-it-has-in-any-year-in-over- of title Dari researchers. the with informally shared document Internal بیرخت یحصزکارم یلکایویمسق)هدش :document icc-afghanistan-.html eua2018_afghanistan.pdf afghanistan.html Times 2015 Trauma of Healing the in child-protection (2018)%20FINAL.pdf https://www.unicef.nl/files/Child%20Notice_Afghanistan%20EN%20 exploitation.” sexual of purpose the for old, years 10–18 between typically boys more or one power, keeping and position of rigorous-review-and-narrative-synthesis net/library/edtech-learning-emergencies-and-displaced-settings- countries/1/summary/2019 from 1,794 to 605. to 1,794 from quarter_report_2019_english_.pdf files/unama_protection_of_civilians_in_armed_conflict_-_first_ 2019 31to March 89 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 81 80 79 78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53 52 51 50 49 48 children.net/node/2488/pdf/2488.pdf Action https://www.icrc.org/en/doc/assets/files/other/icrc_002_0321.pdf document: of title Dari researchers. the with informally shared document Internal Education. of Ministry درومگنجرثالابهکبتاکمدادعت لاسوتیالوکیکفتهب-تساهدشررضتمایهتفرگرارق هلمح utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-ab# Since the beginning of 2019, CAF’s staff numbers have been reduced reduced been have numbers staff 2019, of CAF’s beginning the Since https://www.google.com/search?q=Afghanistan+Labor+LAw&ie= Interview with WCC representative. with Interview Interview with AADA representative. AADA with Interview List of Schools Targeted in the Conflict – Provincial Breakdown by Year Breakdown Provincial – Conflict the in Targeted Schools of List Interview with official from MoE. from official with Interview https://www.stripes.com/news/the-us-has-dropped-more- Wahaj et al, 2017. al, et Wahaj https://www.ilo.org/ipec/facts/lang--en/index.htm Ending Physical and Humiliating Punishment of Children: Manual for for Manual Children: of Punishment Humiliating and Physical Ending Ibid. Ibid. The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body Body and Mind, Brain, Score: the Keeps Body The 2015. Kolk, Van der UNICEF define Bacha Bazi as “the harmful tradition of a local man, man, local of a tradition harmful “the as Bazi Bacha define UNICEF Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview Interview with SCA representative. SCA with Interview Interview with IOM officer. IOM with Interview Health Facilities Partially or Fully Damaged Fully or Partially Facilities Health Protection Risks. UNCHR. https://emergency.unhcr.org/entry/43381/ UNCHR. Risks. Protection Interview with SCA representative. SCA with Interview Interview with UNICEF official. UNICEF with Interview representative. CAF with Interview https://www.protectingeducation.org/sites/default/files/documents/ https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/world/asia/kabul-crime-terror- Ibid. Ibid. Art. 51 Protocols Additional of Geneva Convention: Convention: Geneva of Additional 51 Protocols Art. Ibid. Ibid. Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview Ibid. Ibid. Interview with UNICEF official. UNICEF with Interview Financial Tracking Service. UNOCHA. https://fts.unocha.org/ UNOCHA. Service. Tracking Financial Interview with UNICEF official. UNICEF with Interview Interview with official from MoE. from official with Interview Interview with official from MoPH. from official with Interview Ibid. Ibid. Interview with AADA representative. AADA with Interview Interview with Wadan representative. Wadan with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview Interview with UNHCR officer. UNHCR with Interview New York York New Inquiry’. War Crimes Afghanistan Abandons Court ‘Hague Tauson and Stannard, 2018. https://resourcecentre.savethechildren. Number of School Staff Killed or Injured in the Conflict the in Injured or Killed Staff School of Number Quarterly Report on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict: 1 January January 1 Conflict: Armed in Civilians of Protection the on Report Quarterly . 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/12/world/asia/ . Save the Children. 2005. https://resourcecentre.savethe 2005. Children. the . Save . UNAMA: https://unama.unmissions.org/sites/default/ . UNAMA: , Penguin Books; Reprint edition, September 8, 8, September edition, Reprint Books; , Penguin . Ministry of Public Health. Health. Public of . Ministry

. Ministry of of . Ministry

.

Social Works, Martyrs and Disabled. and Martyrs Works, Social they-bear-all-pain/hazardous-child-labor-afghanistan https://www.hrw.org/report/2016/07/14/ Watch: Rights Human 2016. post_id=23542 Afghanistan. http://www.outlookafghanistan.net/national_detail.php? Child Protection Working Group, 2012. Group, Working Protection Child agencies. https://www.unicef.org/afghanistan/reports/law-protection-child-rights 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 100 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 140 139 138 137 136 135 134 133 132 131 130 129 128 127 126 125 124 123 122 121 120 119 118 117 116 115 114 Evaluation-6-15.pdf https://www.unicef.org/evaldatabase/files/CPAN_Research. documents/guidelines_en.pdf Conflict Armed during Protection. chaired by Save the Children in Afghanistan. in Children the Save by chaired is and NGOs 25 of comprised is CRAF engagement. advocacy joint rights child longstanding to committed 2012 and July in established stations-moe/ http://www.afghanistantimes.af/no-schools-to-be-used-as-polling- departementene/ud/vedlegg/utvikling/safe_schools_declaration.pdf https://www.regjeringen.no/globalassets/ (GCPEA): Attack from Interview with Wadan representative. Wadan with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview Interview with AADA representative. AADA with Interview Interview with TdH representative. with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview Ibid. Ibid. Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action Humanitarian in Protection Child for Standards Minimum Ibid. Ibid. Interview with Wadan representative. Wadan with Interview Interview with IOM officer. IOM with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. representative. AHDS with Interview Afghanistan Officially Launches Child Protection. 2019. Outlook 2019. Outlook Protection. Child Launches Officially Afghanistan National Strategy for Children at Risk at Children for Strategy National The CRAF is an advocacy network of child rights-based NGOs NGOs rights-based child of network advocacy an is CRAF The Interview with AADA representative. AADA with Interview “They Bear All the Pain – Hazardous Child Labour in Afghanistan”. Afghanistan”. in Labour Child –Hazardous Pain the All Bear “They Interview with CAF representative. CAF with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. representative. AHDS with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview representative. CAF with Interview Ibid. Ibid. Interview with TdH representative. with Interview “No schools to be used as polling stations: MoE”. Afghanistan Times MoE”. stations: polling as used be to schools “No Interview with UNICEF official. UNICEF with Interview Interview with MoE official. MoE with Interview Interview with Wadan representative. Wadan with Interview Evaluation of Afghanistan’s Network Child Action Protection Refers to the categories of donors, NGOs and government government and NGOs donors, of categories the to Refers Interview with SCA representative. SCA with Interview Interview with IOM officer. IOM with Interview Interview with IOM officer. IOM with Interview Interview with CAF representative. CAF with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview Interview with TdH representative. with Interview Interview with AHDS representative. AHDS with Interview Inter Agency Guidelines for Case Management and Child Child and Management Case for Guidelines Agency Inter representative. CAF with Interview Provincial Department of Provincial Education, Faryab. Department Interview with CAF representative. CAF with Interview Interview with Wadan representative. Wadan with Interview Interview with MoPH official. MoPH with Interview Interview with Wadan representative. Wadan with Interview Ibid Interview with UNICEF official. UNICEF with Interview United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Child. the of Rights the on Convention Nations United Interview with TdH representative. with Interview Law on Protection of Child Rights. Official Gazette: Gazette: Official Rights. Child of Protection on Law http://moj.gov.af/en/news/1383 Safe Schools Declaration Schools Safe Interview with MoPH official. MoPH with Interview Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use Use Military from Universities and Schools Protecting for Guidelines : http://protectingeducation.org/sites/default/files/ . Global Coalition to Protect Education Education Protect to Coalition . Global . 2004. Ministry of Labor and and Labor of Ministry . 2004.

. Sayara . Sayara ,

: AFRAID TO GO OUTSIDE

The impact of conflict on children in Afghanistan

Save the Children in Afghanistan commissioned ARM Consulting to assess the impact of conflict in exacerbating child protection issues affecting children in Afghanistan. The study explores: • How children are affected by conflict, in particular within the research areas; • What can be done to effectively protect them; • The gaps in and barriers to provision of services to children in or affected by conflict; • How these can be mitigated and overcome; • The government’s capacity to respond to the child protection needs of children in conflict. Data collection activities were undertaken in selected districts of Kabul, Balkh, Faryab and Sar-e-Pul provinces, followed by extensive analysis. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used. 30 key informants were interviewed, including relevant government officials and development partners. In addition, eight focus group discussions were held with children in the surveyed provinces. Quantitative data was collected through structured interviews with 600 parents and 90 children. The report reaches a number of conclusions regarding how conflict affects children in Afghanistan, and specifically in the four researched provinces: • Direct and indirect exposure to conflict exact a considerable mental health toll on children. • Conflict-induced insecurity continues to pose an acute threat to their lives and physical well-being. • The accessibility to and quality of health services, particularly for children, is a concern. • The impact of conflict on children’s access to education is apparent. • The severity of economic hardship endured by families forces parents to let their children work. Findings from the study will inform Save the Children’s programming and advocacy initiatives for the period 2019–21 on how to best protect children in or affected by conflict in Afghanistan. It is hoped that the study’s findings will also influence government policies and decisions for the protection of conflict-affected children. savethechildren.net