Questions and Answers on the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers
How many child soldiers are there in the world? Click to read the stories of children affected by armed conflict. Tens of thousands of boys and girls are recruited and used as child soldiers by armed forces and armed groups in conflict in countries around the world. The United Nations monitors who and where children are recruited around the world. The Secretary-General names parties to conflict who [...]
Deteriorating Security Situation in Eastern DRC Dramatically Impacts Children
The situation of children in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has deteriorated dramatically over the past months. Children are bearing the brunt of the intensification of armed activities by a growing number of armed groups, including resurgent armed groups, particularly in North Kivu and Ituri. “The latest increase in the number of children killed and maimed and attacks on schools and hospitals based [...]
Mali: Children bearing brunt of escalating violence, political instability, upsurge in grave violations
Grave violations committed against children in Mali are increasing at an alarming rate compared to the previous, longer reporting period, a Secretary-General Report on children and armed conflict in Mali published today highlighted. Children in Mali are still bearing the brunt of political instability, increased violence against civilians, and a worsening human rights situation across the country. In the context of escalating intercommunal violence and an upsurge in activities [...]
UN Special Representative of Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Concludes First Visit to Israel, State of Palestine
The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for children and armed conflict (CAAC), Ms. Virginia Gamba, completed a 5-days mission to Israel and the State of Palestine. The visit follows up on the recommendations of the Secretary-General contained in his latest Annual Report on CAAC of June 2022 (paragraphs 302 and 303) requesting the parties to engage with the UN Special Representative to end and prevent grave violations against [...]
Voices for reintegration: Interview with Abdullah
Abdullah was recruited and used by the armed forces as a child. After his release, he was treated differently by his friends and family and faced difficulties controlling his emotions. As a result, he was initially unable to complete his studies, and he had difficulty improving his situation due to stigmatization and trauma. Through reintegration services, Abdullah received counseling and psychosocial support and learned to control his emotions, and [...]
Advocating for reintegration: Testimony from former child soldier
The following is a testimony from Jean, a former child soldier who is now advocating for the reintegration of children formerly associated with armed groups and forces. Below the transcript is the original audio in video format: "Bonjour, Depuis que j’ai regagné la maison, je m’entends si bien avec ma famille. Ce qui est plus gênant, ce sont mes amis qui me fuient. Ceux avec qui j’avais l’habitude de jouer [...]
New Papers Explore How to Better Respond to Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Against Boys in Conflict
On the occasion of the United Nations Human Rights Day 2022, the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, in collaboration with the All Survivors Project (ASP), published two documents on conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) that shed light on how this grave violation specifically impacts boys. The publications, Responding to conflict-related sexual violence against boys associated with armed forces and armed groups [...]
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict in Colombia, Welcomes Sustained Efforts to Protect Children from Conflict GallerySpecial Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict in Colombia, Welcomes Sustained Efforts to Protect Children from Conflict
Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict in Colombia, Welcomes Sustained Efforts to Protect Children from Conflict
*Spanish version available below*New York/Bogotá, 7 December 2022 — Encouraged by the commitment of the Colombia Government towards “Total Peace” that includes the full implementation of the 2016 peace agreement and the resumption of peace negotiations with the ELN, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for children and armed conflict, Mrs. Virginia Gamba, reminded that the protection of children and the fulfilment of their rights is at the centre [...]
Protection measures needed to support children with disabilities in armed conflict
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - 3 December 2022 GENEVA/NEW YORK - Persons with disabilities, particularly children, are too often left behind in situations of armed conflict and experience serious risks and challenges to flee, protect themselves and access necessities, UN experts* warned today, urging States to take protective measures and ensure inclusion and access to assistance. Ahead of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, [...]
Attacks on Schools Increased a Year After Adoption of Resolution Safeguarding Right to Education
New York, 1 December 2022 – The number of attacks against schools and education personnel has seen an increase this year, according to preliminary data from the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for children and armed conflict. The most recent one took place today in the northern city of Aybak in Afghanistan, where several children have been reported killed and injured. This worrying trend, particularly [...]