By Mir Abed Joyenda
Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD) and the United Nations Children's Rights and Emergency Relief Organization (UNICEF) on Tuesday marked World Day Against Child Labor.
Concerned at the increase in child labor in Afghanistan, UNICEF officials called on government to pay serious attention to this issue and not to ignore the problem.
However, the Labor and Social Affairs Minister said they are not able to address problems of child labor in the country due to a lack of funding.
World Day Against Child Labor is marked on June 12 every year. This year, the United Nations and other children's rights organizations are celebrating over a few days with events including a circus show in Kabul for children.
"About 25 percent of children in Afghanistan are engaged in manual labor which will damage their health, education and nutrition. The government has struggled a lot to educate children and now 3.5 million out of 14 million children have no access to schools and education in Afghanistan," said Samayil-al-Washula general director of UNICEF in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, MoLSAMD Minister, Nasrin Oryakhel said that child labor has increased due to poverty and poor economy among families in Afghanistan. "The ministry has failed to address the problems of all children in the country due to budget constraints," she added.
"According to our assessments, at least three million children are at serious risk," the minister said.