Violence against children in Afghanistan: Concerns and opportunities for positive change

O’Leary, Patrick; Cameron, Charles M.; Lakhani, Ali; Osborne, Jackie; Souza, L. de G. M. C.; Hope, Kristen; Naimi, Mohammad S.; Khan, Hassan; Jawad, Qazi S.; Majidi, Sabir

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2017.10.010

Cited by 35 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…All were from Asia except one from Uganda. All were school-based samples except two that were community-based [ 27 , 28 ], which were the smallest (n = 149 [ 27 ]) and largest (n = 513 [ 28 ]). Six studies were cross-sectional and two were cohorts (Table 2 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health of women and children experiencing family violence in conflict settings: a mixed methods systematic review

Devakumar

Palfreyman

Uthayakumar-Cumarasamy

et al. 2021

Confl Health

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Background Armed conflict has significant impacts on individuals and families living in conflict-affected settings globally. Scholars working to prevent violence within families have hypothesised that experiencing armed conflict leads to an increase in family violence and mental health problems. In this review, we assessed the prevalence of family violence in conflict settings, its association with the mental health of survivors, moderating factors, and the importance of gender relations. Methods Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed quantitative and qualitative studies that assessed the prevalence of family violence and the association between family violence and mental health problems, within conflict settings (PROSPERO reference CRD42018114443). Results We identified 2605 records, from which 174 full text articles were screened. Twenty-nine studies that reported family violence during or up to 10 years after conflict were eligible for inclusion. Twenty one studies were quantitative, measuring prevalence and association between family violence and mental health problems. The studies were generally of high quality and all reported high prevalence of violence. The prevalence of violence against women was mostly in the range of 30–40%, the highest reported prevalence of physical abuse being 78.9% in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For violence against children, over three-quarters had ever experienced violence, the highest prevalence being 95.6% in Sri Lanka. Associations were found with a number of mental health problems, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder. The risk varied in different locations. Eight qualitative studies showed how men’s experience of conflict, including financial stresses, contributes to their perpetration of family violence. Conclusions Family violence was common in conflict settings and was associated with mental health outcomes, but the studies were too heterogenous to determine whether prevalence or risk was greater than in non-conflict settings. The review highlights an urgent need for more robust data on perpetrators, forms of family violence, and mental health outcomes in conflict-affected settings in order to help understand the magnitude of the problem and identify potential solutions to address it.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mental health of women and children experiencing family violence in conflict settings: a mixed methods systematic review

Devakumar

Palfreyman

Uthayakumar-Cumarasamy

et al. 2021

Confl Health

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“…Existing studies often rely on Afghan refugees who have relocated to recall their experience of childhood (Mghir et al, 1995; Mghir & Raskin, 1999; Skardalsmo Bjorgo & Jensen, 2015). A study by the current authors found 71% of participants aged 12 to 18 years from three regions in Afghanistan reported directly experiencing physical violence predominantly in the home or workplace (O’Leary et al, 2017). Even less is known about effectiveness of interventions to prevent and respond to VAC in the Afghan context.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 92%

Violence Against Children in Afghanistan: Community Perspectives

Cameron

O’Leary

Lakhani

et al. 2018

J Interpers Violence

Self Cite

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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.

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“…In this lies an implicit assumption of childhood being a period of school, play and leisure, spared of work duties and responsibilities, resembling contemporary western middle‐class childhood (Engebrigtsen, 2003). However, research shows that many children in Afghanistan share responsibilities with older family members and contribute to household chores, farming and family economy (see Kantor & Hozyainova, 2008; O’Leary et al., 2018). The participant's interpretation draws on an understanding of education as formal schooling rather than learning through labour in family contexts and local communities, as common in many non‐western societies (Abebe & Bessell, 2011).…”

Section: Doing Age the ‘Right’ Waymentioning

confidence: 99%

Constructions of ‘the ageless’ asylum seekers: An analysis of how age is understood among professionals working within the norwegian immigration authorities

Sørsveen

Ursin

2020

Children & Society

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This article explores how professionals within the Norwegian immigration authorities conceptualise age when doing non‐medical age assessments. By using social constructivism, which challenges an ethnocentric quantifying understanding of age, we delve into how socially constructed perceptions of childhood and adulthood manifest in assessment practices and the implications of these. By examining how applicants’ physical appearance, body language and life experience are used as an assessment basis, we argue that the ways age is conceptualised relate to Western ideas and ideals while overlooking other social and cultural backgrounds in which age is embedded.

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Violence against children in Afghanistan: Concerns and opportunities for positive change

Cited by 35 publications

References 18 publications

Mental health of women and children experiencing family violence in conflict settings: a mixed methods systematic review

Mental health of women and children experiencing family violence in conflict settings: a mixed methods systematic review

Violence Against Children in Afghanistan: Community Perspectives

Constructions of ‘the ageless’ asylum seekers: An analysis of how age is understood among professionals working within the norwegian immigration authorities

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