Research about child soldiers

Research about child soldiers:

Child soldiers are any children under the age of 18 who are recruited by a state or non-state armed group and used as fighters, cooks, suicide bombers, human shields, messengers, spies, or for sexual purposes. 

There are an estimated 250,00 child soldiers in the world today

It is estimated that 40% of all child soldiers are girls and are used as sex slaves

Child soldiers are recruited by government forces as well as rebel group

Not all children take part in combat, some are used for cooks and spies

Children are sometimes forced to kill a main family member

Some children are abducted from their homes to become child soldiers

Villages are made to produce a certain amount of child soldiers in exchange that their village will remain safe in attacks 

The above video is advertising a UK based charity who work towards giving children an education in order to prevent child soldiers from appearing across the world. 

AN EDUCATED, PROTECTED CHILD IS UNLIKELY TO BECOME A CHILD SOLDIER 

The above slogan is what the charity use to appeal this case to an audience. I think it is a bold term as it highlights the work the organisation do to prevent child soldiering and how the right of an education in which children are to have will not only help progress their lives but also protect their safety.

In the last 15 years, the use of child soldiers has spread to almost every region of the world and every armed conflict

Thousands of child soldiers are illegally serving in armed conflict around the world

Some children are under the age of 10 when they are forced to serve

"Two-thirds of states confirm that enrolment of soldiers under the age of 18 should be banned to prohibit forced child soldiers, as well as 16- and 17-year-old armed force volunteers."

Children who are poor, displaced from their families, have limited access to education, or live in a combat zone are more likely to be forcibly recruited

Children who are not forced to be soldiers volunteer themselves because they feel societal pressure and are under the impression that volunteering will provide a form of income, food, or security, and willingly join the group

"In the last 2 years, 20 states have been reported to have child soldiers in government, government-affiliated, and non-state armed groups. Additionally, 40 states still have minimum age recruitment requirements under 18 years."

"Girls make up an estimated 10 to 30 percent of child soldiers used for fighting and other purposes. They are especially vulnerable when it comes to sexual violence."

A few of the countries who have reported use of child soldiers since 2011 are Afghanistan, Colombia, India, Iraq, Israel, Libya, Mali, Pakistan, Thailand, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen

The recruitment of child soldiers breaks several human rights laws

Relevant news stories about child soldiers:

(Please click on the following news articles I have found relevant to the research I am doing about child soldiers - Shockingly looking at the article release dates shows how this dreadful political issue is still happening and how relevant is still is to today's society.)

Child Soldiers used to fight against ISIS - 9th Nov 2015

Autobiography of child soldier - 4th Nov 2015

The impact on childrens lives - 13th Oct 2015

A film based of child soldiers:

Above is the trailer to the film 'Beasts of no nation' about child soldiers and the exploitation of this within Africa. It is about a young boy who survives as his country goes through a horrific war.