What are two facts about child soldiers?
Here are 10 facts about child soldiers:
- Tens of thousands of children are estimated to be recruited and used by armed groups.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Syria and Yemen currently have the largest number of child soldiers.
- Children are not only recruited by armed forces and groups as fighters.
Do child soldiers go to school?
Access to education is one of the most often requested supports by demobilized child soldiers. In Liberia, 77 percent of former child soldiers said they wanted to return to school. This is often forgone, however, for economic reasons.
What do boy child soldiers do?
Child soldiers are boys and girls who are often abducted and used as combatants, forced to act as human shields or conduct executions, deployed as suicide bombers, or used to make or transport explosives. Other roles include working as guards, spies, messengers, porters, cooks or domestic servants.
Are child soldiers innocent?
Children are not usually considered to be morally responsible actors—especially if they are kidnapped and forcibly indoctrinated. Such child soldiers are practically pure examples of innocent attackers, with all of the attendant difficulties for justifying violence against them.
How many child soldiers have died?
It verified that 8,521 children were used as soldiers last year, while another 2,674 children were killed and 5,748 injured in various conflicts. The report also includes a blacklist intended to shame parties to conflicts in the hope of pushing them to implement measures to protect children.
Are there child soldiers in Central African Republic?
During its rebellion against the government of the Central African Republic, the Seleka coalition, an amalgamation of numerous armed groups recruited and used children in the front lines of combat, some of whom were killed during fighting. Many of the countries where child soldiers have been reported are EAC priority countries, including Myanmar.
How old are child soldiers in the world?
Despite this, the UN verified in its most recent report that 7,747 children were recruited and used in 14 conflicts around the world. Some child soldiers were as young as six years old.
What happens when a child becomes a soldier?
As a child soldier, girls and boys will be forced to take actions and experience things in a way that denies their childhood and forces adulthood – actions and experiences that can lead psychological trauma for any individual, including adults.
How to reintegrate child soldiers into civilian life?
Establishing a new identity for reintegrating the child soldier will depend on productive activities and new learning. Identity and positive meaning in their civilian life is gained through appropriate, contributive roles in their families and communities.