1. Part I Child soldiers: a story of their lives

2. What do you think is happening in this image
What do you think is happening in this image? Write a sentence to summarise your answer.
Photo © for Child Soldiers International

3. “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’

4. Where are child soldiers used? Why are child soldiers used?
Key Questions
Who are child soldiers?
Where are child soldiers used?
Why are child soldiers used?
What happens to child soldiers?
What can be done to stop children being used as soldiers?
Photograph © Kiana Hayeri, for Child Soldiers International

5. How old are child soldiers?
12 and under
15 and under
Under 18

6. Answer: c) Under 18
A child soldier is any girl or boy under the age of 18 who is part of an armed force or armed group.
Most child soldiers are aged between 14 and 17 years, but children as young as 7 have been recruited in places like Syria.
Photograph © Kiana Hayeri, for Child Soldiers International

7. Is 16 too young to be a soldier? Case study: the UK
The UK allows for the recruitment of 16-year-olds
Less than 20 other countries have such a young recruitment age
Under-18s recruits:
Are more likely to be deployed to the frontline when they turn 18
Sign terms of service which prevent them from leaving army for up to six years
Face greater risk of death, injury and long-term mental health problems
Minimum age laws protect children from things like smoking, drinking, playing violent video games and watching violent films.
Do you think they should also protect 16-year-olds from joining the army?

8. Debate: Why 18?
International law defines a child as anyone under 18 and most states only recruit adults.
But some still recruit 16 and 17-year-olds.
Is a minimum age across the world needed? Think about:
The purpose (would a minimum age protect children and help them uphold their rights?)
The level of risk associated with joining fighting forces
The adverse consequences in other parts of the world of not having a universal minimum age

9. 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

11. Some governments use child soldiers.
True or False?
Some governments use child soldiers.

12. Answer
TRUE
Child soldiers are used in some government armies. These include: Yemen, Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan.

13. Child soldiers are always recruited or abducted by force.
True or False?
Child soldiers are always recruited or abducted by force.

14. Answer: False
Some join because of poverty, lack of education, or violence in their community.
“We heard that we could get money there. I went because I wanted to get enough money to go back to school. I wanted to eat and go back to pay for my education."
- Former girl soldier from Democratic Republic of Congo

15. Do you think that this form of recruitment is voluntary?
How much choice do the children have?
What would you do in their situation?
Discuss in your groups and present your argument to the class.

16. Child soldiers in Central African Republic
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17. What’s life like as a child soldier?
Circumstances are different for each child, but this is reality for some:
Forced to commit violence
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

18. "That’s what you go through. To kill somebody every day
"That’s what you go through. To kill somebody every day. You have been forced to do it."
- Alex, former child soldier, Uganda

19. Cooking and cleaning for commanders Guarding checkpoints
Not all child soldiers carry weapons and fight. 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
Photograph © Kiana Hayeri, for Child Soldiers International

20. The often unspoken abuse: rape and sexual violence
Girls can often be married to fighters and used for sexual purposes. Some return home with children.
In Democratic Republic of Congo, we spoke with former girl soldiers. In their words:
“Sometimes, I did not even know the name of the man who abused me at night.”
“Lucky were those who only had one man.”
“I was often drugged. When I woke up I found myself naked. They gave us drugs so that we would not get tired of all of them using us.”
Boys are affected too.
In Afghanistan, young boys have been abused in a practice called Bacha Bazi – or “dancing boys”. Used as entertainment at social events put on by armed commanders, they can then be raped by the commander or event guests.

21. How are you feeling?
What can we do to stop the use of child soldiers?

22. Part II Taking action to end the use of child soldiers

23. Where are child soldiers used? Why are child soldiers used?
Recap: Key Questions
Who are child soldiers?
Where are child soldiers used?
Why are child soldiers used?
What happens to child soldiers?
What can be done to stop children being used as soldiers?
Photograph © Kiana Hayeri, for Child Soldiers International

24. Life afterwards: Former child soldiers going home
Many families accept returning children with joy but...
They may fear or mistrust them
Sick and injured children can be a burden in poverty- stricken villages
Girls feel shame and can be sent away, especially if they have babies
Some families may not understand what children went through or how to help them

25. What support do these children have?
There is hope for reintegration:
If they can return to safety and their family
If they can go back to school or train for a job
Education is an effective way to prevent a future of poverty and isolation
If they have someone understanding to talk to
If girl soldiers with babies receive appropriate help
Former child soldiers need to be involved in the process for them to receive adequate care

26. Back to school: Education for former girl soldiers
Research proves that school helps ease the trauma of war, and allows children to develop hope and self-worth.
Child Soldiers International interviewed over 150 former girl soldiers – their greatest wish was to return to school.

27. What is the rest of the world doing to help?
Created by the UN in 2016.
Each member state has agreed to implement and aim to achieve these goals by 2030.
Discussion point:
Do you think stopping the use of child soldiers could help achieve these goals? If so, which ones?

28. How do we end the use of child soldiers?

29. Make sure that those that recruit children know the law: It is illegal to use any person under 18 in war according to international human rights law Child Soldiers International is working to make sure armies and armed groups stick to the law.
Photo © Gwenn Dubourthoumieu"

30. 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.
The International Criminal Court in the Netherlands is investigating a number of cases involving the recruitment and use of children under the age of 15.

31. Debate: Child soldiers: criminals or victims?
Sam is a 15 year old boy, who joined a rebel group to earn money for his family. Shortly afterwards, his commander forced him to harm innocent people. He was unable to leave the group, and continued to follow the orders of his commanders, attacking innocent people until the age of 19. He has just been arrested by the government authorities. Should he be treated as a war criminal, or as a victim? Points to think about: - How did harming other people affect Sam? - Which of his actions was he responsible for?

32. What should be done to stop this?
Prevent children being recruited in the first place:
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;
Making sure children’s voices are heard and they can contribute to society.

33. 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.
Photograph © Child Soldiers International

34. 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.

35. Design a campaign to let the students in your school know that they can do something to end the use of child soldiers
Child Soldiers International will publish the winning design on their website.

36. “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

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

38. Become a #historymaker and help create a world where no child is recruited for war
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