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Child soldiers and children associated with the fighting forces
1Emergencies Section, Save the Children UK, London. s.uppard@scfuk.org.uk
Insights
Child soldiers, numbering over 300,000 globally, face severe human rights violations and health issues. Urgent research is needed to improve healthcare for children exiting armed groups.
Area of Science:
- Child protection
- Global health
- Human rights law
Background:
- Breakdown of family and community structures, especially during conflict, increases child vulnerability to recruitment into armed groups.
- Child soldiers experience severe human rights violations, including violence and abuse, and face limited survival options due to poverty and exclusion.
- An estimated 300,000 children are currently engaged in armed conflicts worldwide, abducted or coerced into service.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the urgent need for systematic research and data collection on the health of child soldiers.
- To advocate for improved understanding and provision of healthcare for children demobilizing from armed groups.
- To address the inadequate and inaccessible medical care faced by child soldiers.
Main Methods:
- This study is based on existing research and documented experiences regarding child soldiers.
- Analysis of human rights violations and health consequences reported in literature.
- Identification of data gaps in child soldier healthcare.
Main Results:
- Child soldiers suffer physical injuries, permanent disabilities, and potentially death.
- Significant health problems include sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.
- Lack of comprehensive health data hinders adequate medical care and treatment, even during demobilization.
Conclusions:
- Systematic research and data collection are crucial for understanding and addressing the healthcare needs of children formerly associated with armed groups.
- Improved healthcare access and tailored medical interventions are essential for the well-being of demobilized child soldiers.
- Addressing the root causes of child soldier recruitment, such as poverty and exclusion, is vital for prevention.
Abstract:
Experience has shown that the breakdown of protective structures such as families and communities, particularly in times of conflict, leaves children vulnerable to recruitment into armed groups. These children are subject to gross violations of their human rights, such as the right to protection from harm, violence and abuse. At least 300,000 children are currently being used to fight in armed conflicts in over 30 countries across the world. Girls and boys are abducted, coerced or persuaded to join armed forces, often in brutal circumstances. These children are usually involved in internal conflicts, where poverty and exclusion leave very few other viable options--becoming soldiers may appear to be their only means of survival. Many, however, sustain physical injuries and permanent disabilities as a result of combat and it is impossible to know how many are killed. A large number encounter health problems such as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS. Lack of data on the health of child soldiers means that appropriate medical care and treatment may be inadequate or inaccessible, even during a planned demobilization. There is an urgent need for systematic research and data collection in order to better understand and provide for the healthcare of all children leaving armed groups.