Peer-reviewed article
Violence Against Children in Afghanistan: Community Perspectives
Cate M Cameron, Patrick O’Leary, Ali Lakhani, Jodie M. Osborne, Luana de Souza et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study surveyed 182 community leaders, professionals, and business owners across three Afghan districts to understand their knowledge and perceptions of violence against children. The research found that violence against children occurs primarily in homes, communities, and workplaces, but religious and community leaders reported significantly lower rates than other groups. The causes were consistently attributed to poverty, lack of education, and the lasting effects of decades of armed conflict.
Key points
- Religious and community leaders underreported violence against children by 30-40% compared with health, education, and socio-legal professionals
- Business owners significantly underreported workplace violence despite admitting to acts of physical discipline
- Violence against children was reported to occur mostly in homes, communities, and workplaces
- Regional differences existed, with lower reporting of violence in Jalalabad compared with Kabul and Torkham
- Poverty, lack of education, and effects of war were consistently identified as causes of violence against children
Limitations
The study captures perceptions and self-reported knowledge from community stakeholders rather than direct measurement of violence against children or victim experiences. The cross-sectional survey design cannot establish causation or track changes over time.
Abstract
Violence against children (VAC) is a significant international problem and, in Afghanistan, is particularly complex given the country has suffered armed conflict and extreme poverty for more than 30 years. The aim of this study was to examine the level of knowledge and observation of VAC by community leaders, professional groups, and business owners in three Afghan districts. A survey of community and religious leaders; health, socio-legal, and education professionals; and business owners from Kabul, Jalalabad, and Torkham ( n = 182) was conducted. Structured interviews included qualitative and quantitative components. Questions related to knowledge and experience of VAC, and to perceptions of consequences, causes, and strategies for preventing VAC. The statistical significance of differences between participant groups and measures of association were assessed by Pearson’s chi-square test, the Mann–Whitney test, and the Kruskall–Wallis one-way ANOVA. Qualitative responses were analyzed thematically. VAC was reported to occur mostly in the home, community, and workplace. The scale of the problem varied, with religious and community leaders underreporting VAC by 30% to 40% compared with other participant groups ( p < .001). Business owners also significantly underreported VAC in the workplace, despite admitting to acts of discipline that included physical contact. There were some regional differences, with lower reporting of violence in Jalalabad compared with the two other locations ( p < .001). Causes of VAC were consistently attributed to poverty, lack of education, and the effects of war. The findings of this study indicate that VAC is a serious and complex problem in Afghanistan. Decades of armed conflict and entrenched poverty influence how violence is perceived and recognized. Consideration should be given to initiatives that build on the existing strengths within the community while raising awareness and recognition of the nature, extent, and burden of VAC in the community.