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Rural Children and the Worst Forms of Violence and Exploitation

In Egypt, more than half the population live in the countryside. Children under the age of 18, represent the majority of this population. Nevertheless, there aren't any educational, health, agricultural or service policies that qualify this rural sector to live a decent life. Even on the level of long term governmental plans, there aren't any guarantees to the improvement of the rural conditions economically or socially, not even to provide the countryside with basic services, like clean drinking water, paved roads, drainages, reclaimed lands or suitable housing, in order to eliminate poverty and stop the phenomenon of social violence, especially violence against working women and children.
Currently, working children in the countryside face many forms abuse, violence and exploitation of their rights by depriving them of education and even playing, they are deprived of his natural rights, they work under very hard and bad working conditions with very low wages, much less than what grown ups receive and without any contracts that guarantee their rights in holidays, health and social insurance. Many children face death because of their work, pecially on their way from/to the working area.
Violence and abuse that these children face start from their homes, as poor families ry to get rid of some burden by marrying off their daughters and forcing their sons to work in a very early age. Violence is found in schools that children drop out of, it is also found in the streets and in the fields, as there aren't any guarantees to their rights. They work in spraying pesticides and gathering crop under the heat of the burning sun that exceed 40 degrees, which make them vulnerable to sunstroke and emaciation. Violence is also practiced by the state foundations, as the labor law excludes all of the agrarian sector workers, therefore, these children do not have legal protection. The labor syndicate law also excludes children under the age of 18 from receiving a syndicate membership, therefore, they don't benefit of any services (schools, hospitals or social affairs), which lead to the deterioration of their conditions and the future of our country.
We all share the responsibility in protecting the rights of these children. CSOs must raise the awareness about the dangers of this phenomenon and its' harmful effects on our society. Governmental institutions must provide them with protection and support by amending different laws to protect working children in the agrarian sector.
The Egyptian libraries are filled with specialized researches that contain many recommendations, if followed by the state and the concerned bodies, poverty and child labor would be eliminated.
We need alternative policies and a new will to implement these policies, we all must share responsibility to create a better future.