Children are disproportionately affected by hostilities, both directly as victims and through their association with armed forces and armed groups. Child protection actors within the United Nations continue to note with concern that the character of and tactics used in armed conflict pose unprecedented threats to children.
In areas where illicit arms and ammunition are common, children are more vulnerable to injury, death, displacement, psychosocial distress and recruitment and use by armed forces and groups. Children are being used as suicide bombers and human shields, while schools continue to be attacked – affecting girls’ education in particular – and to be used for military purposes.
From the World Report on Violence against Children:
Disarmament in Review
