Save the Children has published a report that looks at
the reasons why children join armed groups and recommends ways of tackling the
recruitment process. Tens of thousands of children from at least 60 countries were
recruited into armies, militia and rebel factions between 2001 and 2004,
constituting a gross abuse of children's rights.

"Fighting Back" is based on interviews with 300 children and 200 parents and carers
in conflict situations in the Ivory Coast, Sierra Leone and Liberia, found that
while some children are forced to join armed groups against their will, many others
join voluntarily for a wide range of reasons, including:

- a lack of alternatives: many children cited a lack of access to education and
vocational training as a major reason for joining an armed group
- inadequate care: a third of the ex-child soldiers interviewed said they had been
recruited after becoming separated from their parents or carers.
- poverty and hunger: having sufficient food to eat, or being able to provide for
parents and siblings, was consistently described as one of the only benefits of
joining the fighters.
- protection: some joined to safeguard themselves and/or their families and their
possessions.
- power: some ex-child soldiers said they joined to gain power and material wealth
and be able to do things they wouldn't normally be able to do, with boys accused of
joining to "get" (rape) girls.
- revenge: some joined to avenge abusive or humiliating behaviour or the death of a
family member by another armed group.
- excitement: others were lured by a desire to have fun and/or adventures, make
friends or find a partner.

But the report found that life with an armed group was far from "exciting". As well
as risking death or injury on a daily basis, the vast majority of children who had
been formerly associated with fighters spoke of extreme hardship and suffering
physically, psychologically and sexually abuse. And those who had chosen to join
were often deeply disillusioned. [Source: CRIN]
 
For more information, contact:
Save the Children UK
1 St John's Lane, London, EC1M 4AR, UK
Tel: + 44 20 7012 6400; Fax: + 44 20 7012 6963
Email: supporter.care@savethechildren.org.uk
Website: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk