Let’s first understand the term children Soliders in Africa ,
When national armed forces or other armed groups in Africa use children under the age of 18 as soldiers, this practise is referred to as "child soldiers in Africa."
Typically, both youngsters serving in combatant duties and those serving in non-combatant jobs (such chefs or messengers) fall under this category.
According to estimates from 2008, Africa was home to 40% of all child soldiers in the world, and the continent was experiencing the fastest growth in the employment of child soldiers in armed conflict. Up to half of children involved with state armed forces and non-state armed groups worldwide were in Africa.
Additionally, it appears that the average age of minors enlisted as troops is dropping.Throughout hostilities on the continent, the proportion of children who serve as combatants varies greatly, from 0% to 53%.
Reasons for recruitment of children by armed groups.
Armed groups frequently deploy child soldiers because they consider them to be disposable and inexpensive to maintain.Other contributing factors include the widespread use of light automatic weapons, which kids can handle, the relative higher willingness of kids to fight for non-monetary rewards like honour, prestige, vengeance, and duty, as well as the psychological malleability of kids compared to adults, which makes them easier to manipulate, deceive, and indoctrinate.
Some military officers have asserted that despite their immaturity, children provide unique combat skills to a fighting unit and are frequently surprisingly courageous, agile, and resilient.
Let’s look at some Recruitment risk considerations :
Living in a combat zone, even if it isn't within their own country, and being estranged from their family or home are risk factors for becoming child soldiers.However, there are still child soldiers who voluntarily enlist in armed organisations. Children living in impoverished nations often turn to joining armed groups that provide them resources they would not otherwise have, like three meals a day, clean clothes, and medical treatment.
However by bolstering child protection systems, encouraging peacebuilding, and enhancing community access to education and employment opportunities, World Vision strives to stop the enlistment of children in the armed forces.
WRITER: ABHILASHA RAI
टिप्पणियाँ
एक टिप्पणी भेजें