The Maoist insurgency, which started in 1996, has caused widespread violence throughout the country and killed over 11,000 people including many innocent children. Many others have suffered physical as well as psychological injuries. Hundreds of children are in trauma brought about by the loss of their
parents, and relatives.  
 
Both the conflicting parties have been violating the rights of the children. Children have been the most affected by the violent internal armed. With massive
destruction of its infrastructure, education has been badly affected. Both the conflicting parties have been using the educational institutions as trainings. While the rebels force the children & students to join them, the security forces accuse them of being Maoists & assert them from their schools.

As a result of the conflict, hundreds of schools have closed down in the villages & thousands of children have been deprived of their right to education. The children have also been deprived of health facilities, a balanced diet and nutrition and the care of their parents / relatives. They have list the essential opportunities of physical, mental, and moral development.

Similarly child labour has increased and the conflicting parties have been using children as messengers. The Maoists have been using child soldiers. Between February 1996 to October 2003, a total of 155 children (below 17 years) were killed by the state while 79 were killed by the Maoists. 53 of the children killed by the state were females while of those 22 killed by the Maoists were females. Most of the children killed in the war were from the Mid-western region, the area most affected by the conflict.

Thousands of orphans (victims from both sides) have seen their parents, siblings, or friends being beaten up or tortured or killed. According to CWIN report over 4000 children have been internally displaced. Some of them even live on the street, exposed to various types of danger. Many displaced children have witnessed violence and destruction and thousands have been traumatised. Children who have been directly affected or who have witnessed atrocities from either side are deeply traumatised or have developed a sense of revenge.

There has been an adverse effect on the development, survival and security of children, the other victims of the armed conflict. Lacking protection and guidance, orphaned children have fallen into bad habits, often misbehaving & developing a deep sense of revenge. Their youth has been stained by cruelty, inhumanity and helplessness. Growing up in such an environment is certain to have severe effect on their subconscious. [Source: CRIN]

For more information, contact:
Shobha Shrestha
Peace and Security Officer
Peace and Governance Foundation
South-Asia Partnership-Nepal
Babar Mahal, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: + 977 4223230; Fax: + 977 4241338
Email: sap@ngdo.wlink.com.np
Website: www.sapnepal.org.np