Iraq Removed from List of Countries Using Children in Armed Conflict, Minister of Labor Announces

Baghdad – INA
 
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs, and Chair of the Childhood Care Authority, Ahmed Al-Asadi, announced on Sunday significant achievements in supporting children and expanding social protection during recent periods. He reaffirmed Iraq’s commitment to safeguarding children from all forms of exploitation and harm, highlighting that Iraq has officially been removed from the list of countries using children in armed conflicts.
 
In his speech at the inaugural Scientific Conference for the Defense of Children’s Rights, attended by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), Al-Asadi stated, “We meet today at this important first-of-its-kind conference to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to supporting and protecting children’s rights. Our deep conviction is that children are the cornerstone of both our present and our future.”
He emphasized, “Ensuring their rights to education, health, and protection is a national and humanitarian duty that demands our utmost efforts.”
 
Al-Asadi noted that the conference, organized by the Childhood Care Authority in cooperation with Save the Children International, is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen policies and programs aimed at protecting children and ensuring they grow in safe and healthy environments.
 
“Over the past period, we have made tangible progress in supporting children and expanding the scope of social protection,” Al-Asadi explained.
“Among our most notable achievements is including 3.6 million children in social protection programs, providing them with essential support to overcome life’s challenges. Additionally, over 137,000 orphans from widowed families have been supported to ensure a stable and dignified life.”
 
He further elaborated that more than 2.2 million children have benefited from student grants aimed at enhancing access to education and ensuring continuity in their academic journeys. In the healthcare domain, 11,000 children with diabetes received necessary medical support to guarantee their well-being and family stability. Over 177,000 children in Baghdad were included in health insurance services, marking a step towards universal health coverage.
 
Moreover, 42 Child Protection Units have been established across Baghdad and other governorates to provide psychological and social support, addressing the challenges faced by children. Preparations are also underway to launch the “Cash Plus” program in Al-Muthanna governorate, which will deliver conditional cash assistance to children aged 0-2 years.
 
Al-Asadi celebrated a historic milestone achieved this year, stating, “We have successfully removed Iraq from the list of countries that use children in armed conflicts, a momentous step reflecting our continuous commitment to protecting childhood from all forms of exploitation and harm.”
 
He described the conference as a valuable platform for dialogue and idea exchange between researchers and policymakers to develop practical and effective recommendations aimed at enhancing child protection systems.
“We aspire to see these recommendations translated into concrete steps that have a profound impact on the lives and futures of our children,” he added.
 
The minister underscored that “childhood is a sacred trust, and our responsibility towards them requires concerted efforts and collaboration among all stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, and international partners, to achieve our shared goals of protecting and nurturing our children.”
 
Al-Asadi concluded by expressing gratitude to the Childhood Care Authority, Save the Children International, and all organizations dedicated to child welfare. He also thanked the researchers and experts participating in the conference, emphasizing that “their efforts and scientific contributions are a cornerstone in the journey to support childhood and create a brighter future for our children.”