Voices from the Farms: Understanding Child Labor in the Agricultural Sector – Jordan Valley and Mafraq (Jordan, 2025)

Child labor in the agricultural sector remains a persistent and underreported challenge in Jordan, exposing children to hazardous working conditions and depriving them of their rights to education and protection. This study examines the lived experiences of child laborers and their caregivers in Mafraq and the Jordan Valley, with a focus on demographic characteristics, family dynamics, financial pressures, housing conditions, and access to education. Save the Children Jordan conducted a comprehensive mixed-methods study to identify the socioeconomic, cultural, and institutional drivers of child labor and to assess the influence of social norms sustaining these practices. The research further explores working conditions, occupational hazards, and risks faced by children engaged in agricultural work. Through in-depth interviews and detailed case studies, the study generates evidence-based findings that inform policy and programmatic recommendations aimed at preventing child labor and improving the well-being and protection of children in the agricultural sector.