In the 21st century children are used to fight as solders by rebels in different parts of the world. There are millions of children who are currently taking parts in wars. The wars in different countries have helped child traffickers to abuse children, rape children and often force them into child marriage. Although there are many organisations in the developing countries, which are working hard to help and protect children caught up in these circumstances, including Plan UK, UNUCEF, Oxfam, Action for Children in Conflict, Christian Aid and many more. These organisations are involved in providing school, shelter and livelihood which have been effective in some countries around but it has not solved the problem.
According to an article published on the Council of foreign Relations website.
Developed countries such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have stepped up to the plate to provide long-term funding for countries with national education plans. Innovative programs have reached girls in extremely poor, remote areas of South Asia who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn. Model education programs are operating in conflict and post-conflict settings in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Colombia and Sudan – giving hope and stability to children living in otherwise chaotic and unpredictable environments. (http://www.cfr.org/thinktank/cue/issue.html)
There are other European countries like Germany, France, Italy and their counterparts that contribute to UNICEF, in order to help children in current and post-war conflicts, although Germany is number16 among donor countries in its contribution to UNICEF. According to UNICEF Germany contributes a paltry 5 million Euros per year – far less than its much smaller neighbours like Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries. The UNICEF also claims the people of Germany are among the most generous contributors to UNICEF.
In most conflicts around the world, children have caught up in the middle of the war. Some children have joined as soldiers either for rebel groups or government forces, because in most cases they have lost their parents, who provided them with food and shelters and others have been forced to join. In some cases children are often given responsibilities therefore they are obligated to join a group of rebel or government in order to provide their families with food and shelter to survive. It is believed that children are physically vulnerable and can be obedient soldiers.
“Many are abducted or recruited by force, and often compelled to follow orders under threat of death. Others join armed groups out of desperation. As society breaks down during conflict, leaving children no access to school, driving them from their homes, or separating them from family members, many children perceive armed groups as their best chance for survival. Others seek escape from poverty or join military forces to avenge family members who have been killed.” (http://hrw.org/campaigns/crp/index.html).
The UN estimates two million children have been killed in armed conflicts in the last ten year. According to The Human Right Watch there are 200,000 to 300,000 children serving as soldiers in conflicts around the world. There are many countries that are facing internal and externally conflicts in different regions of the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Palestine, Uganda, Burma, Nepal and many more.
Unless the UN and the developing countries do more to stop children from getting involved in conflicts, there would many more children dead or injured. It is time to take some real actions against countries which are using children to fight.
