Besides being among the many civilian casualties during an armed conflict, children may be orphaned or separated from their families and become heads of households which leaves them vulnerable to forced labour, sexual exploitation or recruitment in armed forces.

Nearly 50 million have been forcibly displaced from their homes, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation and violence.Ĭhildren are the most vulnerable victims of conflict due to many factors. Many children are forcibly recruited and used by armed forces or groups but others are pushed into joining armed groups or forces due to socio-economic factors such as extreme poverty or a lack of access to education.In December 2016, UNICEF reported that an estimated 535 million children, a quarter of the world's children, lived in countries affected by conflict or disasters. The list also includes: the killing and maiming of children, sexual violence against children, child abductions, attacks against schools or hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access for children.ħ. The recruitment and use of children as soldiers is one of the six U.N.-defined violations affecting children in times of war. Many girls are also used by armed forces and groups across the globe, including in Afghanistan, Colombia, the Central African Republic, Nigeria, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.Ħ. Not all child soldiers are boys holding guns. International Labour Organization (ILO).ĥ.

The forced recruitment of children for use in armed conflict is considered one of the worst forms of child labour, alongside abuses such as trafficking for sexual exploitation, according to the U.N. They are also used as informants, looters, messengers, spies and as domestic or sexual slaves.Ĥ.

Children are not only recruited by armed forces and groups as fighters.

Armed conflict definition kids