Child Soldiers
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ONE STEP AT A TIME
Throughout history, there has always been talk about the heroic men and women that fought and served for their countries in terms of war, but we never focused on the children that were forced to fight. For many decades and in various different countries there have been countless numbers of children under the age of eighteen fighting in wars, this is the term that we refer to as a “child soldier.” As research shows, “there is an estimated 120,000 child soldiers in the country of Africa alone.” There have been reports of 250,000 child soldiers worldwide. Most of these children are forced through coercion, abduction and while others voluntarily enlist due to societal pressure. These children have proven to be effective and powerful weapons in the terrible struggles of war. Children proved to be very easily influenced, a few stronger boys could be taken and made into soldiers when the supply of men was running low. Child soldiers are said to be more obedient, which makes them easier to manipulate versus adults who are not as naive. There are various international organizations that have been working together to try to eliminate this issue but the issue persists and child soldiers are still used today. While many people are aware of how boys are used as child soldiers, many forget about the use of young girls during wartime. "Around 40 percent of all child soldiers are female." Young girls are abducted and used to cook, clean and perform other "domestic" duties. Additionally, many girls are forced to serve as sex slaves. However, girls are not limited to these duties. Some girls are trained, given weapons, and even sent into battles. Of these, most are kidnapped, but there are some that voluntarily join in hopes of a life away from the reality of poverty and forced marriages. "Occasionally, girl soldiers can ascend the ranks of the paramilitary machine," serving in high positions such as captain or corporal. Young girls are not at all excluded from the horrors of being child soldiers. A lucky few are able to escape their abductors, or are rescued by governments and human rights organizations, and finally able to experience freedom again. However, they will never really be free, as many are plagued with the painful physical and psychological effects once they reach safety. Children can be injured during battle in the same way that adults can, potentially leaving them without limbs. Young girls used as sex slaves can be exposed to STDs as a result of their forced role during wartime. Additionally, disease and malnutrition are very frequent issues during wartime, especially for children, who may have a less developed immune system. If the children are able to avoid the physical impacts, they are likely to still be faced with many psychological effects, ranging from PTSD to depression. Survivors explain that nightmares are events that they know all too well. Escapees are not able to forget all the things that they have done, such as killing another human, including another child. Memories can cause depression and anxiety within survivors. Religious and moral beliefs can also be affected by one’s actions, even if forced. “Child Soldiers.” World Council of Churches -- World Council of Churches. Accessed October 14, 2016.http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/children.html "Female Child Soldiers Can Be Victims of Abuse, Perpetrators of Violence – Women in the World in Association with The New York Times – WITW." Women in the World in Association with The New York Times - WITW. Accessed October 14, 2016. http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/08/04/female-child-soldiers-can-be-victims-of-abuse-perpetrators-of-violence/. "Female Child Soldiers Can Be Victims of Abuse, Perpetrators of Violence – Women in the World in Association with The New York Times – WITW." Women in the World in Association with The New York Times - WITW. Accessed October 14, 2016. http://nytlive.nytimes.com/womenintheworld/2015/08/04/female-child-soldiers-can-be-victims-of-abuse-perpetrators-of-violence/. |