Child Soldier Facts

Today, as many as 300,000 children under the age of 18 serve in government forces or armed groups. Some are as young as 8-years-old.

The participation of child soldiers has been reported in 33 on-going or recent armed conflicts in almost every region of the world.

• Both Guerrila and Government armies use child soldiers.
• Easily manipulated, children are uniquely vulnerable to military recruitment, as they don’t yet understand the ramifications of armed conflict and violence.
• Modern lightweight weapons and small arms are accessible and simply operated, allowing children to use them in place of adults.
• Orphans and refugees, poor and separated from their families are particularly at risk for recruitment.
• Promising food and security, adult soldiers lure naïve children to join militias and armies.
• Youth are often kidnapped and forced into service.
• Girls are forced into service too – frequently raped and made into “wives” for commanders.
• Children are often sent first into minefields, used in suicide missions, and forced to the frontlines of battles.
• They may also serve as cooks, guards, messengers, and spies.
• Commanders make their young charges commit atrocities against their own families and communities so they are stigmatized and unable to return home.
• Few peace treaties recognize the existence of child soldiers or help them to reintegrate into their communities
• Lack of education, food and shelter cause former child soldiers to end up on the street as criminals or be drawn back into armed groups.
• CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CHILD SOLDIERS.

04.20.09 Thousands flee Sri Lanka combat

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4.21.09 HERE is the most current update of the status of child soldiers globally recently delivered to the UN Security Council.