Dramatic increase of beggars in Kermanshah

Women and children beggars face the highest level of violence, abuse, disease, and insecurity.

Kermanshah – Unemployment, class distinction and poverty in Kermanshah, western Iran, have led to a considerable increase in beggars.

Crossroads, traffic lights, houses, shops, sidewalks, highways and checkpoints are different places for beggars in Kermanshah, where the number of beggars increases drastically.

Anyone passing by "Maskan" boulevard, less than a kilometer from "Labab" to "Farhangian" sees more than twenty beggars. On the lonely sidewalks of the boulevard, beggars await passengers until midnight. This painful picture is only a face of the daily reality in Kermashan.

“Qaim” crossroad in Najafi suburb is a point for a woman begging with a baby in her arms every night. She hopes that car passengers roll down the windows and give her some money when they stop at traffic lights.

The number of women beggars and garbage collectors has increased significantly in recent years in Kermanshah. These women and children face harassment, abuse, diseases, and a lack of security more than anyone else.