Every child has the right to live a healthy, protected, and supported life to
live up to their full potential. However, in Africa, 1 in every 4 children
lives in conflict. Among the 375 million children impacted by
conflict, 14% of them are in Africa.The Day of the African Child is a great
opportunity to recognize significant contribution achieved at continental and
national levels in promoting and protecting the rights of all children. At
global level, a number of frameworks have been adopted on the subject matter
including the convention on the rights of children, the African charter on the
rights and Welfare of the child and the Geneva Conventions and their two
additional Protocols. In the same spirit several UN resolutions, AU summit and
peace and Security Council policy decisions and frameworks have been developed
to protect the rights of children in conflicts. The Vancouver Principles
launched in 2017 on the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers
to date have been endorsed by more the 100 countries across the world. The
instrument has supported the global movement on raising the voice among
member states to essentially commit to engage into actions that end wars on
children and find sustainable ways to prevent the recruitment and use of child
soldiers. It is important to highlight that Governments and other
stakeholders on the continent are working together to achieve this
vision.
While there is a lot to celebrate, the African child still face grave violations especially those associated to conflict. Wars are taking away children’s happiness to grow in families but above all children as young as eight years are being recruited and used as child soldiers denying them the opportunity to enjoy their childhood. Many children in Africa are left with no shelter or belonging. Today, the dynamics of war has changed. The center of these dynamics and tactics is the use of children which is an inhuman activity and extended terror to the African child. Recruitment of child soldiers constructs challenges in protecting children. It is therefore our responsibility to join efforts towards the eradication of any forms of violence on children and stigmatize the culture of the recruitment and use of child soldiers. The annual UN CAAC reported, 49,640 cases of boys and girls recruited and used as soldiers from 2005 to 2016. In 2016 alone, the UN new verified cases of child soldiers in Africa was 8,000. Protracted conflicts also expose children to other forms of violence. Statistics shows that between 2014 and 2018, 55,000 children experienced grave violations. In 2016 alone, 12 Million children were denied access to education because of war. It is also reported that every child who is recruited is not reintegrated. This pause serious threat to the society and the future of the child.
The effects of war on children is insurmountable at individual, society, and the national levels. More so, girls and boys experience these effects differently. Rwanda is the first African country to endorse the Vancouver Principles and thus has certainly contributed to the achievement of the global call on the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers during their UN peace keeping mission but also serves as a regional hub on the continent where nations across the globe gather to learn from Rwanda’s experiences in preventing and protecting children in conflict. Rwanda has framed the issues of children in armed conflict as a specific priority concern for the security sector, and particularly their recruitment and use as soldiers. The Dallaire Institute has had a long standing contribution towards achievement of these efforts through great cooperation with the Government of Rwanda on joint interventions implemented by the Rwanda Defence Force. At the Vancouver Principles workshop held in Kigali, 2019 the Minister of Defence of Rwanda, Mr. Albert Murasira emphasized on the importance of "Protecting children as a key to the future of humanity and attainment of sustainable Peace and Security Agenda on the continent but also domestically”. The child protection development approach taken by Rwanda is a great example to the world. Rtd Gen. Dallaire, founder of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security during the same occasion alluded in his speech that "Protecting Children builds Hope for the Continent".
Let us not forget that the extraordinary challenges of COVID19 pandemic has contributed to widening the gap on protecting the rights of children especially in countries burdened by civil wars and unending conflicts. These gaps therefore require global responses which only the re commitment of governments towards protecting of children can bring about a positive change in the lives of children. The Dallaire Initiative is committed to support global efforts that aim at ending violence that harm child soldiers. “We can’t achieve peace without protecting children from violence, and we can’t guarantee them justice if we don't stand up for their rights”, Dr Shelly Whitman the Executive Director of The Dallaire Institute Children, Peace and Security said at the Vancouver Principles Workshop, 2019 in Kigali.
This year’s theme on the Day of the African Child reminds us our common responsibility to give Justice to Children. Any form of violence committed against a child takes away their rights but, in most cases, justice is denied for children because they are voiceless. Therefore, failure to protect and care for children is denial to justice. Justice for children should not be a pre-requisite but a right and each one of us is accountable for not standing out for the rights of children. The national theme on this day encourages every Rwandan to become a Guardian Angel for children, “Malaika Murinzi” so that each child has a family that care for their well being.
Let us all join efforts and commitments towards promoting the rights of every child and make it a reality. For we can only achieve our sustainable development goals if we are able to reduce violence committed to children. We will continue to fight until one day we will make Recruitment and Use of Children Soldiers Unthinkable.
Fancisca Mujawase, Manager of Research and Evaluation for the Dallaire Institute for children, Peace and security.
While there is a lot to celebrate, the African child still face grave violations especially those associated to conflict. Wars are taking away children’s happiness to grow in families but above all children as young as eight years are being recruited and used as child soldiers denying them the opportunity to enjoy their childhood. Many children in Africa are left with no shelter or belonging. Today, the dynamics of war has changed. The center of these dynamics and tactics is the use of children which is an inhuman activity and extended terror to the African child. Recruitment of child soldiers constructs challenges in protecting children. It is therefore our responsibility to join efforts towards the eradication of any forms of violence on children and stigmatize the culture of the recruitment and use of child soldiers. The annual UN CAAC reported, 49,640 cases of boys and girls recruited and used as soldiers from 2005 to 2016. In 2016 alone, the UN new verified cases of child soldiers in Africa was 8,000. Protracted conflicts also expose children to other forms of violence. Statistics shows that between 2014 and 2018, 55,000 children experienced grave violations. In 2016 alone, 12 Million children were denied access to education because of war. It is also reported that every child who is recruited is not reintegrated. This pause serious threat to the society and the future of the child.
The effects of war on children is insurmountable at individual, society, and the national levels. More so, girls and boys experience these effects differently. Rwanda is the first African country to endorse the Vancouver Principles and thus has certainly contributed to the achievement of the global call on the prevention of the recruitment and use of child soldiers during their UN peace keeping mission but also serves as a regional hub on the continent where nations across the globe gather to learn from Rwanda’s experiences in preventing and protecting children in conflict. Rwanda has framed the issues of children in armed conflict as a specific priority concern for the security sector, and particularly their recruitment and use as soldiers. The Dallaire Institute has had a long standing contribution towards achievement of these efforts through great cooperation with the Government of Rwanda on joint interventions implemented by the Rwanda Defence Force. At the Vancouver Principles workshop held in Kigali, 2019 the Minister of Defence of Rwanda, Mr. Albert Murasira emphasized on the importance of "Protecting children as a key to the future of humanity and attainment of sustainable Peace and Security Agenda on the continent but also domestically”. The child protection development approach taken by Rwanda is a great example to the world. Rtd Gen. Dallaire, founder of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security during the same occasion alluded in his speech that "Protecting Children builds Hope for the Continent".
Let us not forget that the extraordinary challenges of COVID19 pandemic has contributed to widening the gap on protecting the rights of children especially in countries burdened by civil wars and unending conflicts. These gaps therefore require global responses which only the re commitment of governments towards protecting of children can bring about a positive change in the lives of children. The Dallaire Initiative is committed to support global efforts that aim at ending violence that harm child soldiers. “We can’t achieve peace without protecting children from violence, and we can’t guarantee them justice if we don't stand up for their rights”, Dr Shelly Whitman the Executive Director of The Dallaire Institute Children, Peace and Security said at the Vancouver Principles Workshop, 2019 in Kigali.
This year’s theme on the Day of the African Child reminds us our common responsibility to give Justice to Children. Any form of violence committed against a child takes away their rights but, in most cases, justice is denied for children because they are voiceless. Therefore, failure to protect and care for children is denial to justice. Justice for children should not be a pre-requisite but a right and each one of us is accountable for not standing out for the rights of children. The national theme on this day encourages every Rwandan to become a Guardian Angel for children, “Malaika Murinzi” so that each child has a family that care for their well being.
Let us all join efforts and commitments towards promoting the rights of every child and make it a reality. For we can only achieve our sustainable development goals if we are able to reduce violence committed to children. We will continue to fight until one day we will make Recruitment and Use of Children Soldiers Unthinkable.
Fancisca Mujawase, Manager of Research and Evaluation for the Dallaire Institute for children, Peace and security.
