Issues In Human Rights

Child Soldiers

A child soldier is defined as a person under the age of 18 either forcibly or willingly participating in armed conflicts. Some children are abducted and forced to join military groups, while others volunteer in order to have a sense of stability and protection in a war-torn region. While many are used in combat roles, others occupy support positions such as porters, messengers, or in the case of girls, sex slaves. Regardless of their role in these military groups, children often witness and are forced to do horrible things to survive. Accounts from former child soldiers describe a brutal kill or be killed mentality.

According to War Child UK there is an estimated 250,000 child soldiers worldwide. These children are invariably  located in unstable regions. Amnesty International recently reported that child soldiers are involved in the conflict in the Central African Republic (For more information on this conflict see my last post).

The issue of child soldiers is not an easy one to solve. Many organizations including the United Nations negotiate their release from military groups, but this is not a sustainable solution. More children will take the places of those freed as long as there is conflict within the region in question. Other organizations like War Child and the International Rescue Committee rehabilitate and provide support for former child soldiers. Their work is invaluable. They give these children a chance to have a better life. The problem, however, persists. I believe that the issue of child soldiers can only truly be solved with peace and stability. These things, however, are slow to come. Until they do, we must do what we can to help because no child deserves to suffer or participate in the horrors of war.

For more information visit: http://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/effects-of-conflict/six-grave-violations/child-soldiers/

To help visit: http://www.warchild.org/


Education 

It is common in the U.S. for children to complain about having to go to school, but millions of children around the world are unable to receive an education. Yet without an education many of them become trapped in a web of poverty. Young girls are especially affected. Many countries that allow boys to go to school refuse to educate girls. When denied schooling, however, they become vulnerable and dependent on men. In countries like India, Thailand, and Cambodia they are sold into sex trafficking. Even when given a choice, many cannot earn a living elsewhere without an education.

Those who try to affirm their right to education are often brutally punished. Malala Yousafzai stood up for girl's education in Pakistan and was shot by the Taliban as a result. She survived her ordeal and continues to speak out in favor of education for all children. For more information I highly recommend reading her book I Am Malala.

Schooling is at the heart of many poverty centered issues. When people are educated they not only can get better jobs, but are also less likely to be manipulated.

To support this cause you can donate to the Malala Fund.

Child Marriage

Child marriage is a world-wide problem. It affects both boys and girls, although it more commonly impacts the later. In many developing countries parents will marry off their daughters (or sons) before they are 18 years of age. In some cases this is because of traditional gender roles or poverty. In most developing countries women are seen as less valuable than men and a burden that should be discarded with as soon as possible. By marrying off their children early, families can also reduce their expenses. No matter the reason, the result is the same. Child brides are often subject to sexual assault and are more susceptible to having complications during childbirth. They also typically do not receive an education; this in turn contributes to trapping them in this horrible situation. 

For more information on child marriage visit these websites:

• http://www.girlsnotbrides.org/
• http://www.unicef.org/protection/57929_58008.html