UN warns of rising child recruitment in armed conflicts

In a statement marking the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the UN emphasized that 2024 saw a concerning increase in the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts. Despite international efforts to protect children, armed groups and even state army forces continue to exploit children in war zones, often through abduction, forced recruitment, sexual violence and trafficking.

Children are often killed or injured by explosive weapons, such as airstrikes and landmines. Attacks on schools and hospitals have worsened their situation, leaving many children without access to education or basic care. This has led to significant harm, especially in conflict zones like Gaza, Sudan, Lebanon, Myanmar and Ukraine.

The UN has called for greater protection of children everywhere and especially in war zones. The international community is urged to provide safe spaces for education, eliminate the use of landmines and explosive weapons in populated areas, prohibit the military use of schools, and grant humanitarian access to all children in need.

The focus for 2025 must be to ensure that children's rights are upheld and that they are protected from war. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, said that all these are “important commitments that can help children survive armed conflict when adults are not willing to commit to lasting peace.”

Sources:

UN News, Recruitment of child soldiers is on the rise, despite global commitments, January 23, 2025