Learning about child soldiers

“They told him, come join us and we will take care of your family “They told him, come join us and we will take care of your family. But they’re lying. They don’t give anyone anything.” - Mum of a 13-year-old boy recruited by ‘Islamic State’

“Children have nothing to do with war. They should leave us out of it

What happens to child soldiers? Where are child soldiers used? Key Questions….. Who are child soldiers? What happens to child soldiers? Where are child soldiers used? Can anything be done to stop children being used as soldiers?

Class survey - question 1 How old are child soldiers? Under the age of 11 Under the age of 16 Under the age of 18

Answer 1 c) Under the age of 18 A child is anyone below the age of 18 It is against the law to use anyone under 18 in war Most child soldiers are between 14 and 17 years old, but children as young as 7 have been used in places, like Syria

Class survey - question 2 True of false: Only boys can be child soldiers

Answer 2 FALSE Many child soldiers are girls. They are often hidden away and not seen.

Class survey - question 3 True or false: Child soldiers always have guns and fight

Answer 3 FALSE Many child soldiers don’t even have a uniform, let alone a gun. But they still suffer danger and live a hard life, away from home.

What else do you think they do? Cooking and cleaning for commanders Guarding checkpoints Carrying firewood and equipment Cleaning and repairing guns Carrying messages and spying

What’s life like as a child soldier? Danger of fighting and injuries Not enough food Strict punishment and threats Often there are no doctors and medicines Living apart from your family No school

"My brother stopped paying the school fees, so I was chased out "My brother stopped paying the school fees, so I was chased out...I left for the bush because I was told that you could get some money there; I wanted to eat and go back to pay for my education“ “I have to go back to school. I don’t know how to do it, but I must study.” - former girl soldiers in Democratic Republic of Congo, interviewed by Child Soldiers International

Child soldiers in Central African Republic If link does not work, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyvFm_TUKDw&t=101s

Where in the world are child soldiers are used? Africa: Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan Middle East and North Africa: Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Libya Asia: Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), India, Philippines, Thailand South America: Colombia

How do we stop the use of child soldiers?

There are laws which ban the use of child soldiers There are laws which ban the use of child soldiers. Child Soldiers International is working to make sure armies and rebel groups stick to these.

Make sure that children can go to school, where they are safe; Make sure that schools, churches, clubs and families protect children from becoming soldiers.

Make sure people who recruit child soldiers are punished There are laws which mean that people who recruit child soldiers can be taken to court and punished. Some of those guilty people are now being brought to justice by the International Criminal Court in Holland.

Larger World Connections The SDGs are a set of 17 global goals set by the UN, with an aim to achieve them by 2030. Child soldiers miss out on education when they are recruited. Girls are often shunned when they come back from war. People recruiting children for war should be brought to justice.

What can you do to help? Spread the word: talk to your friends and family about child soldiers – not everyone knows this is happening. Write to your government: ask them to protect children Fundraise: get your friends and family involved, while raising money for organisations who help child soldiers - like Child Soldiers International.

INSPIRE OTHERS Always remember: one person can make a difference INSPIRE OTHERS Always remember: one person can make a difference! And by working together, we can do even more to end the use of child soldiers.

“I would like to give you a message “I would like to give you a message. Please do your best to tell the world what is happening to us, the children. So that other children don't have to pass through this violence.” - A girl who escaped a rebel group in Uganda

What happens to child soldiers? Where are child soldiers used? Key Questions….. Who are child soldiers? What happens to child soldiers? Where are child soldiers used? Can anything be done to stop children being used as soldiers?

Become a #historymaker and help create a world where no child is recruited for war If link does not work, click here: https://youtu.be/wPlI2b50piM