Sudanese Children Living a Painful Reality Under the Weight of War

Sudan’s National Council for Child Welfare has revealed that approximately 71% of Sudanese children are currently living in situations of risk.

In a statement marking the World Day Against Child Labour, the Council’s Secretary-General, Abdel Qader Abdalla Abouh, said that Sudanese children are now increasingly exposed to economic exploitation, violence, and serious violations.

He added that the war that has been ongoing in Sudan since April 2023 has significantly worsened living conditions for families and led to increased risks associated with child labour, school dropout, displacement, and the loss of family and community protection. He stressed that this situation requires a comprehensive humanitarian response that places child protection at the forefront of priorities.

He further emphasized that ending child labour requires addressing the economic and social factors that compel families to send their children into the workforce.

He called for the expansion of social protection programs and greater support for war-affected families, describing them as the primary and most important source of care and protection for children.

Abouh stressed that protecting children is a shared responsibility requiring effective partnerships among government institutions, international organizations, and civil society to ensure a safe environment where children can enjoy their rights to education, protection, and healthy development, free from exploitation, violence, and the dangers of conflict.