Children Soldiers
Children Soldiers-
Many children have been forced to join their local militias and become part of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Whether it was because they were tricked into joining, or because they felt that they had no other option. Children account for a mere 19% of the population, but have still accounted for more than 45% of the deaths since the conflict began. It is estimated that 15-30% of all new recruits are children soldiers because the enemy cannot stand to kill children. Children are often used for the most gruesome tasks, or as sexual slaves. The UN tried to ratify the situation with Resolution 1341 which called for an end to child soldiers, but many families are either dead or unwilling to take them in for various reasons. The tasks these children have performed have likely scarred them for life, and many will never be the same.
Many children have been forced to join their local militias and become part of the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Whether it was because they were tricked into joining, or because they felt that they had no other option. Children account for a mere 19% of the population, but have still accounted for more than 45% of the deaths since the conflict began. It is estimated that 15-30% of all new recruits are children soldiers because the enemy cannot stand to kill children. Children are often used for the most gruesome tasks, or as sexual slaves. The UN tried to ratify the situation with Resolution 1341 which called for an end to child soldiers, but many families are either dead or unwilling to take them in for various reasons. The tasks these children have performed have likely scarred them for life, and many will never be the same.
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The Life of a Child Soldier The video to the left contains an interview with a former child soldier. She was forcibly recruited by the rebel soldiers, and when her sibling tried to take her with him he was killed. She later ran away and ended up one of the lucky children to survive running away. Now she is trying to rebuild her life in society.
Unfortunately the video is not able to be viewed at this time so we have provided a link to the video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLTPk0VdtHs |
