Children are vulnerable victims of armed conflict in several ways. They are killed, maimed, abducted, orphaned, recruited as child soldiers, and subjected to sexual violence. The UN considers the killing or maiming of children, recruitment of child soldiers, attacks on schools and hospitals, denial of humanitarian access, abduction of children, and rape or sexual abuse of children to be "grave violations" of children's rights in conflict situations. These violations continue to occur on an alarming scale in over 36 countries where child soldiers, some as young as 8 years old, are being used.

1. Children & Armed Conflictt1

2. Our objectiveSWBAT describe all of the ways that children are affected by armed conflict2

3. What is it?Armed Conflict?3

4. In times of war…We usually think of military CombatantsCasualtiesWe forget about the civiliansWe forget about the children4

5. What do you think of when you hear the term?Children and armed conflict5

6. What are the implications?For kids that live in war torn areas6

7. How do you think Children are used?7

8. How do you think that Children are victimized?8

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10. Kids are vulnerableWhy ?10

11. Primary VictimsTarget & Instruments of Armed ConflictKilledMaimedAbductedOrphanedTraumatized 11

12. Recruited Child soldiers 12

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15. The next image is really graphic!!!!15

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17. What happens to little girls?Sexual Violence Exploitation17

18. What does the UN say about all of this?“…grave violations against children in situations of concern continue to be perpetrated on an alarming scale.”18

19. And the Secretary General says…“We must send a strong signal to the world that those committing appalling crimes against children in conflict situations will be brought to justice.”-April 29, 2009 Ban Ki Moon19

20. He also said…“The protection of children in armed conflict is a litmus test for the United Nations and the Organization’s Member States. It is a moral call, and deserves to be placed above all politics. It requires innovative, fearless engagement by all stakeholders.” 20

21. Un has developed a list of 6 grave violationsConsidered war crimesMeasures toward ending impunityAddressing these issue has created advocacy groups with this focus21

22. Number 1Killing or maiming of children22

23. Number 2Recruitment or use of child soldiers23

24. Number 3Attacks against schools or hospitals24

25. Number 4Denial of humanitarian access for children25

26. Number 5Abduction of children26

27. Number 6Rape or other sexual abuse against children27

28. Where in the world is this happening?28

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30. Child Soldiers30

31. A child Soldier is…A 'child soldier' is defined as any child - boy or girl - under 18 years of age, who is part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force or armed group in any capacity, including, but not limited to: cooks, porters, messengers, and anyone accompanying such groups other than family members. It includes girls and boys recruited for sexual purposes and/or forced marriage. The definition, therefore, does not only refer to a child who is carrying, or has carried weapons" (Cape Town Principals, 1997).31

32. 40 million children live on the streets of the world's cities The average age of the homeless in the US is 9 years A gun takes the life of a child every 2 hours in the US In Liberia, children made up a quarter of all civil war combatants Children are tortured by authorities in 11 countries More than a million children work in the Asian sex trade 4,000 children in the USA were murdered by their parents in 1998 2 million girls between 4 and 12 years undergo genital mutilation every year Source: Children's rights across the world (BOES)32

33. Child Soldiers are being used in over 36 countries worldwide. Today, there are approximately 300,000 child soldiers fighting in armed conflict.Child soldiers are under the age of 18.Children are used as soldiers because they are easily manipulated and are too young to understand their actions. 33

34. Child soldiers use AK-47s, M-16s and grenades because they are easy to use.Orphans and refugees sometimes see their only hope for survival is by joining a militia.Child soldiers are used to clear landmines and as human shields.Child soldiers are often given drugs to help them cope with their emotions making it easier for them to kill.Girl soldiers are often used as domestic sex slaves.Child soldiers carry supplies and act as messengers, cooks and lookouts.34

35. Child soldiers are sometimes forced to commit atrocities against their own families and villages.Many child soldiers are not welcome back home after a conflict ends because of cultural superstition.Children are the victims of conflict after witnessing or participating in murder and rape, becoming disabled, homeless or psychologically traumatized. 35