Incorporation of best practices in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programmes for children

The issue of rehabilitation and reintegration is critical so as to ensure that cycles of violence and conflict are not perpetuated. It is critical to secure the long-term sustainability of interventions, and to support and invest in the capacity of national authorities to assume their lead responsibility in this regard.

The Integrated Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Standards (2006) and Paris Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups (2007) represent major progress and now require effective implementation. As part of this, child disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, rights training and justice concerns need to be systematically incorporated into emerging work on security system reform.

Reintegration is commonly thought of as the final component of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, but in reality encompasses much more, and for children, it requires programming outside of formal disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes. The process has wide-ranging aims, different for each boy and girl involved, including building emotional trust and reconciling with family and community, providing access to education and developing a means of livelihood. As captured in the Paris Principles, to be effective and contribute to the prevention of re-recruitment, reintegration needs to be comprehensive and longterm. A community-based approach, in which families and communities are central to defining and providing support, affords the best chances of success.

Too often, reintegration efforts inappropriately single out children who in the past were recruited, thereby perpetuating stigma. Likewise, cash benefits for returning children can be seen as rewarding their involvement in violence. To the extent possible, reintegration efforts should benefit all affected children, rather than select groups. A useful approach in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Sierra Leone has involved the provision of materials to schools accepting demobilized children, thus benefiting all students.

Girls often suffer stigmatization whether formerly associated with armed forces or armed groups, or as victims of sexual violence. Response should prevent further harm and provide confidential access to reintegration supports. Addressing a range of long-term needs entails health care, including reproductive health, fistula treatment and provision of post-exposure prophylaxis; legal support; and psychosocial care. Centres that provide comprehensive health, legal and psychosocial support and care to victims and their families in safety and confidentiality have been shown to be effective. Sustainable livelihood opportunities for young girls are a priority, to limit the risk of sexual exploitation and violence.

Local approaches to justice and reconciliation are increasingly playing a role in transitional justice strategies, building upon traditional norms to strengthen the protection of children in communities. In research conducted in Sierra Leone for this review, local actors cited the most positive reconciliation experiences as those that included traditional approaches. Children compelled to commit atrocities during the conflict reported that they had gained acceptance in their communities through dialogue based on traditional healing mechanisms. The feasibility of involving children in traditional approaches to justice and enhancing their role in community reconciliation requires further attention.

While reintegration supports should be multisectoral, special emphasis on education and livelihood support is needed, appropriate to the age and the individual. While the most effective way to assist children and youths who have not completed education is to enable them to enter or re-enter schools, alternatives are also necessary. Accelerated courses of primary education, such as those in Afghanistan, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Southern Sudan, can play an important role. Girl mothers require special attention to have access to education and livelihood support, in such forms as day care for their children.

The subject of reintegration brings with it the question of what young people are returning to, which is usually an impoverished, subsistence-based environment. Most vocational training programmes result in more young hairdressers, tailors or carpenters than the market can absorb, yet research has found significant positive outcomes in terms of new identities and self-esteem. Increased support for child and youth livelihoods is essential; however, broader economic recovery and investment allowing small businesses to survive is equally vital. The education and livelihood aspects of reintegration programming require greater investment and identification of effective models.