The situation for children in Afghanistan has remained dire for decades, marked by endemic violence and limited access to basic resources, education, and human rights. The country was labeled the "worst place to be born" due to the worsening conditions following the withdrawal of U.S. troops and the deteriorating political and security environment. This has heightened the vulnerability of children and young people, exposing them to human trafficking and recruitment by terrorist groups.

Since its rise during the Afghan Civil War in the 1990s and its rule over Afghanistan until the U.S. invasion in 2001, the Taliban—designated a terrorist organization by the UN—has increasingly targeted children, both within Afghanistan and neighboring countries like Pakistan. Despite longstanding denials, the Taliban has employed the forced recruitment of children, particularly after the 9/11 attacks and the subsequent Global War on Terror, using them in combat and suicide bombings. According to the UN, non-state armed groups, particularly the Taliban, are responsible for nearly half of the violence against children in Afghanistan.

This discussion highlighted the lack of reintegration programs for children associated with armed groups and emphasized the need to build resilient societies with children at the center. It called for the international community to prioritize child protection and to provide education that fosters diversity, resilience, and tolerance, empowering children to resist violent extremist ideologies. The conversation also sought to address the following questions: Can there truly be an opportunity for child and youth agency in Afghanistan? Can youth participation in peacebuilding offer hope for a future within their country?