Parental violence against children in Afghanistan: Concerns and opportunities for positive change

Background Violence against children (VAC) is a serious issue in Afghanistan. In regions affected by conflict and poverty the importance of parental support to children is often critical to child well being, given other... [ view full abstract ]

Background
Violence against children (VAC) is a serious issue in Afghanistan. In regions affected by conflict and poverty the importance of parental support to children is often critical to child well being, given other mechanisms for support are non-existent or fragile. Afghanistan over many decades has experience ongoing conflict and disruption to family and community life.
Methods
Structured interviews from random population based sample consisting of 145 children, 104 parents and 182 community stakeholders were conducted. Demographic information was collected as well as items from the International Child Abuse Screening Tool (ICAST-CH). The survey was conducted in three geographical locations in Afghanistan (Kabul, Torkham, and Jalalabad).
Results
The presentation will focus on results relating to the child/parent. 78 % of children reported being subjected to physical forms of violence, with the home being the most likely location of where violence occurred. 92% of parents reported using physical violence against their children. Consistent with international research children cited their parents as their preferred source of support in situations of violence. Most parents viewed violent forms of parenting as the least effective and had a desire to use nonviolent methods of discipline. Other variables associated with parent’s occupation, location and level of child’s education were associated with VAC.
Conclusions
These results offer a disturbing yet ‘on the ground’ insight into the VAC in Afghanistan from the experience of children and parents. The results have important implications for programming design and focus for stopping and preventing VAC in the Afghan context. Programming that supports parent and child education as well as poverty alleviation are most aligned to the results. These implications along with limitations and suggestions for future research on VAC in Afghanistan are explored.