According to the ‘Annual report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC)’ released by office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC)- More than 19,300 boys and girls affected by war in 2020 were victims of grave violations like abduction, recruitment or sexual violence.
- Around 26, 425 grave violations were committed against children in 2020, which included attacks on schools and hospitals.
- The Grave violations against children in conflict remained ‘alarmingly high’. The report further states that one in four children affected by grave violations were girls.
- The report is titled ‘A Stolen Childhood and a Future to Repair: Vulnerability of Girls & Boys in Armed Conflict Exacerbated by COVID-19 Pandemic’.
Note – The Office of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG CAAC) serves to protect the rights of children affected by war.
Key Points
i.COVID-19 Pandemic has complicated UN’s efforts to reach out to children in situations of armed conflict.
ii.The most prevalent grave violations against children were recruitment and use of children, killing and maiming, and denial of humanitarian access and abduction.
- Crimes of abduction grew by 90% in 2020, incidents of rape and other forms of sexual violence increased by 70%.
- Girls were most affected by rape and other forms of sexual violence with 98% of incidents of sexual violence perpetrated against girls.
- More than 8, 500 children were used as soldiers in 2020 in various conflicts across the world and nearly 2,700 others were killed.
iii.The highest numbers of grave violations were verified in Afghanistan, Congo, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.
iv.OSRSG CAAC has set a target to end the Recruitment and Use of Child Soldiers by 2025.
Fact – 2021 marks the International Year for the Elimination of Child Labour
About Office of the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC)
Special Representative – Virginia Gamba de Potgieter
Established – December, 1996
