This report aims to heighten understanding of the many ways in which armed conflict affects children – and how children regard their participation not only in war but in programmes aimed at preventing violence against them and in promoting their recovery and reintegration.
The report frames its findings within three categories: political and diplomatic actions and responsibilities; system-wide international policies, standards and architectures; and prevention and response.
Key findings:
- Inter-state conflicts have declined in number worldwide, but they are being supplanted by smaller-scale, low-intensity intra-state wars. Whilst the nature of conflict is changing the vulnerability of children remain constant. A new category of threats to children involves ill-trained combatants armed with readily available small weapons. Terrorism and counterterrorism also pose new challenges for the protection of children. Of great concern is the use of children as perpetrators or accomplices in terrorist acts, including acts carried across borders.
- Among the consequences of war to children include the fact that: Children fall victim to a general onslaught against civilians; others die as part of a calculated genocide. Still other children suffer the effects of sexual violence or the multiple deprivations of armed conflict that expose them to hunger or disease. Thousands of young people are also cynically exploited as combatants. Both during and after armed conflict, even those children not suffering as a direct result of conflict often suffer equally devastating consequences. The indirect consequences of war – the severing of basic services, increased poverty, malnutrition and disease – take a devastating toll on children.
- In many countries afflicted by armed conflict, engagement in public decision-making is largely denied to citizens regardless of their age. Such exclusion can give rise to frustration, including among the young, which can ignite or further fuel conflict. Indications suggest that participatory programming can strengthen the ability of children to resist efforts by armed groups to recruit them. On the other hand, organized participatory activities can also be a stepping stone towards involvement in violence. When such activities fail to lead to meaningful change, children whose consciousness and confidence have been raised through such activities may be susceptible to groups promising change, including through political or criminal violence.
- States remain committed to the rules that govern and must be applied in armed conflict. However, in many spots around the globe, international law and norms appear to be ignored altogether. The real challenge thus lies in applying the rules established under international humanitarian law.
Recommendations:
- A major gap in monitoring the situation of children in armed conflict remains the availability of accurate and reliable data. Greater emphasis must be placed on the enhanced coordination needed to analyse gaps in knowledge. Conduct research, strengthen capacity, address programme needs and establish realistic goals and plans to respond to violations of children’s rights and interruptions or delays to development during and after armed conflict.
- Address obstacles to the participation of young people in decision-making and actively promote their engagement in national and local-level governance, peace processes and justice, and truth and reconciliation processes. Increase technical and financial investment, including focused support for youth activities, secondary and tertiary education, and livelihood projects.
Recommendations to international actors
- Promote wider engagement on the issue of children and armed conflict in regional bodies. Encourage timely action on Security Council recommendations. Ensure that children’s concerns and child protection issues are systematically incorporated into every peace process. Protect children from grave violations of their rights through provisions in peace negotiations. Seek mechanisms to impose sanctions when required. Facilitate dialogue with non-state actors.
