2016 sg children and armed conflict report

Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, displays the signed roadmap to strengthen the protection of children in armed conflict during a meeting with Somali Federal Government Ministries and commissioner of police in Mogadishu, Somalia on 28 October 2019. “The CAAC mandate requires us to be proactive, and not solely reactive, to break the cycles of violence that continue to harm children daily. It obliges us to also work towards preventing these violations before they occur,” she said.Īs the mandate “was always meant to be one of collaboration”, she underlined the critical role for governments, international and regional organizations, civil society and communities both in preventing and addressing violations and in responding to the needs of survivors.Ĭollaboration has brought results, she added, pointing to examples from countries such as the Central African Republic, the Philippines, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Colombia. Virginia Gamba, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, said the study also charts a way forward to further strengthen protection, and galvanize support at the international, national and local levels. In addition to recruitment, children are killed and maimed by explosive remnants of war and active shooting incidents, abducted on the way to school, or raped while fetching wood and water. War can impact young lives in numerous ways. In conjunction with the anniversary, the UN Office on Children and Armed Conflict has issued a report that takes stock of challenges, gaps, successes and opportunities since its establishment. And we need to honour their bravery and resilience by giving them a full and active voice in their countries’ futures,” he said. We need to place the needs and rights of children first in peace negotiations. “We need to strengthen our support of released children so they can reintegrate into their communities.

The Secretary-General urged countries to continue supporting the UN Office on Children and Armed Conflict, and keep the promise made more than two decades ago. Cycles of violence and despair won’t stop automatically.” Guterres said in a video message for the online commemoration. Besides the thousands of children freed by armed groups and forces during this time, hundreds of life-saving commitments and action plans have been signed and implemented by warring parties.

2016 sg children and armed conflict report