On 7 August 2018 in Yambio in South Sudan, more than 100 children were released by two armed groups. Photo: UNICEF

In over 25 years, the implementation of the Children and Armed Conflict mandate has led to the release of over 180,000 children, the signing and implementation of  hundreds of commitments including Action Plans as well as countless initiatives to improve the protection of boys and girls in times of war.

Reflecting on progress achieved and remaining challenges, the UN Security Council called on the Special Representative, together with relevant child protection actors, to compile comprehensive best practices on the implementation of the mandate, including a practical guidance on the integration of child protection issues in peace processes. The guidance was published in February 2020.

As a result, Special Representative Virginia Gamba created a lessons learned and best practices unit in her office that is compiling initiatives and work methods that proved successful to the protection of boys and girls.

Best Practices from the Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism

Best practices and lessons learned from the field