soldiers6

In 1998 it was estimated that up to 300,000 children were actively involved in armed conflict
in government armed forces, government militias and in a range of armed opposition
groups. This number is believed to have remained relatively constant although exact
figures are impossible to determine.
The problem is most critical in Africa, where up to 100,000 children, some as young as
nine, were estimated to be involved in armed conflict in mid 2004. Children are also used
as soldiers in various Asian countries and in parts of Latin America, Europe and the Middle
East.
The majority of the world's child soldiers are involved in a variety of armed political groups.
These include government-backed paramilitary groups, militias and self-defence units
operating in many conflict zones. Others include armed groups opposed to central
government rule, groups composed of ethnic religious and other minorities and clan-based
or factional groups fighting governments and each other to defend territory and resources.
Most child soldiers are aged between 14 and 18, While many enlist "voluntarily" research
shows that such adolescents see few alternatives to involvement in armed conflict. Some
enlist as a means of survival in war-torn regions after family, social and economic
structures collapse or after seeing family members tortured or killed by government forces
or armed groups. Others join up because of poverty and lack of work or educational
opportunities. Many girls have reported enlisting to escape domestic servitude, violence
and sexual abuse.
Forcible abductions, sometimes of large numbers of children, continue to occur in some
countries. Children as young as nine have been abducted and used in combat.
Demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) programs specifically aimed at child
soldiers have been established in many countries, both during and after armed conflict and
have assisted former child soldiers to acquire new skills and return to their communities.
However, the programs lack funds and adequate resources. Sustained long-term
investment is needed if they are to be effective.
Despite growing recognition of girls' involvement in armed conflict, girls are often
deliberately or inadvertently excluded from DDR programs. Girl soldiers are frequently
subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence as well as being involved in combat
and other roles. In some cases they are stigmatized by their home communities when they
return. DDR programs should be sensitively constructed and designed to respond to the
needs of girl soldiers.