CHILD SOLDIER IN SIERRA LEONE

Population of Sierra Leone Sierra Leone has 6 Million inhabitants (source World Bank, 2013). It has density of 80 people per square km. 42% of the population is under the age of 15. Literacy in male population is 46.9% and female is 24.4% Sierra Leone is the poorest country in the World (source UNDP Human Development Index). Came out of civil war in In % of populated areas are rural and 40.02% urban.

How the population affects child soldiers Because of the high percentage of children in the population they have been targeted, kidnaped and forced to become child soldiers.

Economics of Sierra Leone The economy before 1991 was traditional and in some areas commanded. The country is rich with diamonds, gold and other natural resources. Agriculture is dominant, manufacturing is less than 10% of GDP. Because of the traditional way of production, small quantities were produced and very low income was coming in the hands of the peasants and working class people.

How Economy affects child soldiers For some very poor families or refugees having their child joining the army would mean access to food, shelter and clothing.

Politics of Sierra Leone Sierra Leone is a Republic, that has three branches (executive/President/, legislative/Parliament/ and independent judicial). Multi-party system and democratic elections.

How Politics affect child soldier The elections have been manipulated by the government(the government is corrupted). Because of the unfairness the citizens have started a civil war. e.g. The government before the civil war (started in 1991) was closely related to the diamond and gold mining business. The politicians have been trading with the resources for their personal benefit, and not respecting the laws. Instead of using the natural wealth to raise the education level of the population, improving the infrastructure and develop healthcare in the communities, they have been enjoying the personal gains of the trade.

SOCIAL

Reasons for Sierra Leoneans to emigrate Natural disasters destroyed homes and farms of Sierra Leoneans it makes them get concerned about there safety. Some of the disasters are flooding that helped epidemics grow, one of the diseases(epidemics) is Ebola. Also a civil war has been going on four a decade. Because of the undeveloped economy poor living conditions have developed.

Reasons for Sierra Leoneans to immigrate to Australia Australia has lots of business opportunities, its one of the safest countries and it has high developed economy and it’s a democratically organized country.

Barriers that stop Sierra Leoneans from migrating Physical barriers that stop migration are the mountains and the sea on one side of the State. Technology is changing these barriers as modern transportation takes people over and across barriers(over the sea). Political barriers to migration are the closed borders because of war. There are no exit taxes but people are so poor that they can’t afford the(plain or taxi) ticket. Environmental Migration floods from time to time block the roads and traffic.