The reality of child labor in Iraq after 2003 and its impact on hindering sustainable development

the international and political journal

Authors

  • Masarra Ali Rashk
  • Shahd Adel Subhi

Abstract

Iraq has witnessed several waves of armed conflicts and population displacement in recent years, which were expected to trigger new waves of child labor, the extent of which and its severity still need to be comprehensively measured.

      This fact has been added to the already existing social problems in the region, both in rural and urban areas, stemming from the fragility of the economy, the lack of educational opportunities, and favorable social norms and standards. This expected increase in child labor comes amid global efforts to eliminate this dangerous phenomenon, and in light of the remarkable efforts made by the Iraqi government to align its national legal and institutional frameworks with international standards related to this phenomenon.

References

Mohamed Gamal Mohamed El-Nabiti, "Economic Characteristics and the Daily Journey of Child Labor in Khanka Center, Egypt," *Arab Journal of Geographical Studies*, Vol. 7, No. 21, 2024.

Warda Ben Moussa, "Economic Exploitation of Children, Egypt," *Journal of Legal and Political Research and Studies*, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Blida, No. 12, 2017.

Shahrazad Boujemaa, "Child Labor: Between Need and Exploitation," Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Blida 2, Algeria, *Annals of the University of Algiers 1*, Vol. 35, No. 1, 2020.

Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, dated December 20, 1989, which entered into force in 1990.

Article 1 of the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed conflict, dated May 25, 2000, which entered into force on February 23, 2002.

Ahmed Zaki Badawi, Dictionary of Social Science Terms, Lebanon, n.d., 1982.

Child Welfare Authority in Iraq, Rapid Assessment of the Worst Forms of Child Labor, December 2015.

Kawthar Abdul Hamid Saeed, Child Labor and Social Policies in Iraq, First Annual Scientific Conference on Social Studies, House of Wisdom, 2011

Nadia Abdul Hadi Sawadi, Children's Rights in Iraq after 2003, Unpublished Master's Thesis, College of Political Science, University of Baghdad, 2013. 10.

Hussein Mohammed Al-Faihan, Child Labor in Iraq... Causes and Solutions, International Internet, at the following link: www.lna.lq, accessed 15/2/2026, 8:30 AM

Muzaffar Husni Ali: The Phenomenon of Child Labor in Iraq: Causes and Consequences, Iraqi Journal of Economic Sciences, Issue (15), 2007.

Abdul Wahid Mashal, Unemployment and Behavioral Deviance in Iraqi Society, Bayt al-Hikma, Journal of Social Studies, Issue 25, 2011.

Constitution of the Republic of Iraq of 2005.

Layla Badiwi Khudair, Child Labor: Is There a Limit to Its Growth in Iraq?, Iraqi Economists Network, Policy Papers on Child Labor, 2020.

Labor Law No. 37 of 2015, Collection of Iraqi Laws, compiled by Judge Nabil Abdul Rahman Hayawi, Beirut, Al-Atik Books, 2017.

Rabiha Nabar, Child Labor: Causes and Consequences, Algeria, Journal of Human and Social Sciences, Vol. 8, No. 4, 2019.

Tayseer Abdullah and Rashid Arar, Causes and Dimensions of the Phenomenon of Child Labor in Jerusalem, Palestine - Al-Quds University, Journal of Psychological and Educational Sciences, January 6, 2020.

Asma Abbas Aziz Al-Dulaimi and Ahmed Ibrahim Ali Ahmed, Child Labor and its Causes in Diyala Governorate: An Analytical Study, Journal of the College of Education, Vol. 1, No. 57.

Fatima Kharshaf, Causes and Dimensions of Child Labor, University of Algiers 3, Ma'alim Journal for Media and Communication Studies, Vol. 1, No. 2, 2020.

Wafaa Marzouq, Protecting Children's Rights under the International Convention, Beirut, Al-Halabi Legal Publications, 2010.

Jamal Muhammad Ali Al-Jawahiri et al., Rapid Assessment of the Worst Forms of Child Labor – Iraq, December 2015, p. 75.

Jamila Khaydar and Muhammad Hassian, The Reality of Child Labor in Algeria, Algeria, Al-Murabba Magazine, Issue 22, 2019.

Adel Mahmoud Al-Rifai and Dhahi Hamdan Al-Rifai, Poverty, Slums, and Political Participation, Egypt, Dar Al-Manar for Publishing and Distribution, 2015.

24. Adnan Abdul-Amir Mahdi Al-Zubaidi, Child Labor in Iraq After 2003: Reality and Solutions, Baghdad, Al-Nahrain University, College of Political Science, Political Issues Journal, Issue 72, 2023.

Lama Karim Khudair, Violation of Children's Rights and the Perspective of Current Iraqi Laws and Legislation, Journal of the College of Law and Political Science, Issue 30, October 2025.

Additional Files

Published

2026-11-14

How to Cite

Rashk, M. A. ., & Subhi, S. A. . (2026). The reality of child labor in Iraq after 2003 and its impact on hindering sustainable development: the international and political journal . The International and Political Journal, 68, 621–646. Retrieved from https://ipj.uomustansiriyah.edu.iq/index.php/political/article/view/577