In presenting the report of the Secretary-General, Virginia Gamba, emphasize current trends, patterns of serious violations, and existing and emerging challenges in “protecting children from use and abuse by, during and in armed conflict”.
Abuse a lot
From South Sudan to Afghanistan and beyond, Last year the UN verified 23,982 serious violations – more than 19,165 of which were “pathetic” abuses of children, said the senior UN official.
She recounts that 1,600 of these children have been victimized on two or more occasions, illustrating the link between frequent violations.
“To put it bluntly, this represents an average of 65 serious violations against children per day of each week of each month of the year.”
Furthermore, 8,000 children were killed or injured by wartime explosives, improvised explosive devices and landmines.
“The recruitment and use of children by, within and among parties to armed conflict, with more than 6,300 children verified to have been recruited and used, is the second most common offence…continued… followed by denial of humanitarian access to children, with more than 3,900 cases.”
Increasing violations against girls
Last year, there was a steady increase in the number of girls committing crimes, especially murder and abuse, sexual violence and abduction.
“In 2021, one in three child victims will be girls – when less than a year earlier, the ratio was one to four,” Ms Gamba informed the ambassadors, adding that girls also accounted for 98% of all victims of rape and other forms of abuse. other sexual violence.
Meanwhile, 2,864 children are detained or deprived of their freedom, “double-punished” for conflicts for which they “have to suffer and are not responsible”, she stressed.
‘Sign of hope’
“Along with tragedy, we also see signs of hope and recovery in 2021,” said the Special Representative, citing the “unrelenting dedication of organizations and partners.” protect children on the ground…[and] The parties to the conflict have stopped to think about how children can be better protected by working closely with the United Nations.”
She detailed a number of initiatives underway, including identifying the need to examine the gender dimensions of serious violations and ensuring that child protection remains relevant. central to peace processes.
Recommendations
Ms. Gamba described it as “important” that UN operations be adequately authorized, staffed and funded to continue monitoring, reporting, engaging with stakeholders and implementing interventions. life-saving interventions, such as ensuring the release of children from conflict.
“Without child protection advocacy and the work done in the field and in my office, the situation would certainly have been worse,” she asserts.
The Special Representative also advocates for humanitarian spaces that are protected and that provide unfettered access to children, humanitarian workers and property, as well as sustainable technical and financial support for programs. victim-centered, sex- and age-sensitive child reintegration program. maintained as “critical” to breaking the cycle of violence.
“Children affected by conflict need our support, and they need it right away“She spells.
UN photo / Ekinder Debebe
Virginia Gamba, Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Children and Armed Conflict, briefed UN Security Council members on children and armed conflict.
Childhood ‘attacked’
Head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell, observes that as conflict increases globally, serious violations against children continue.
“Children – and childhoods – are being attacked,” she said. “This report paints a grim picture” but also points to the way forward.
She emphasized that last year, at least 12,214 children were released from armed groups; new action plans signed in Mali and Yemen; and “UN monitoring and reporting of serious violations is only growing stronger”.
Ms. Russell called on member states to use their power to issue military orders emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for violations; implementation of the Safe Schools Statement, which provides protection against attacks and abuse; and protect surviving children from stigma and abuse.
“Every child has a right to be protected – in wartime and in peace,” she concluded, calling it a “sacred duty” to build a sustainable future for all.
Every child has the right to protection, in war and in peace – Head of UNICEF
First account
In 2016, Patrick Kumi, Founder and CEO of Similar NGO, was 15 years old when members of an armed group kidnapped his family in South Sudan.
“They tortured us by making us stand in a hole filled with water up to our necks and beat us for days,” before killing his father right in front of his eyes, he said. told. “Then I was asked to join the force or die“.
Many children with guns have girls they call ‘wives’ and adults also marry 14 or 15 year olds, he continued.
During an attack by Government forces, Mr Kumi explained how he narrowly escaped death on a two-day walk to Uganda. Eleven months later, he found family members who had also survived.
Move forward
In 2018, the teenager joined a youth-led advocacy program where he ran a project to protect orphans and separated children.
It has taken him three years to recover and he is currently applying for a degree in Human Rights, Peace and Humanitarian Response.
The young campaigner has some suggestions to help thousands of children going through the same stress he did.
These include better quality reintegration to improve government cooperation with national and international projects, as well as giving survivors the opportunity to participate in “all aspects of ” of policies and programs, regarding their recovery.
“If it’s for children and young people, then let it be for them,” he said.
UN photo / Ekinder Debebe
Patrick Kumi, Founder and CEO of Similar NGO, Briefing to UN Security Council Members on Children and Armed Conflict.
