**Recruitment of Child Soldiers: A Stain on Our Collective Conscience**

As we mark the 35th anniversary of a UN commitment to protect children from being recruited as soldiers, it is disheartening to note that armed groups have increased their recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. This egregious practice not only violates international law but also perpetuates a cycle of violence, exploitation, and trauma for thousands of innocent children.

**The Unwavering Commitment to Protect Children**

In 1989, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was hailed as a historic agreement, inspiring governments to pass laws protecting children from violence and exploitation. A decade later, a protocol prohibiting the recruitment and use as soldiers of all children under 18 years of age was adopted. Today, this protocol has been ratified by 173 countries, demonstrating our collective commitment to upholding human rights and protecting vulnerable populations.

**The Alarming Reality: Children's Lives Disrupted**

Despite these global commitments, armed groups have escalated their recruitment and use of children for armed conflict purposes. The statistics are staggering: from Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the Lake Chad basin, Mozambique, the Sahel, Sudan, Somalia, Syria, and Haiti, countless children have been abducted and forcibly recruited into armed groups.

**The Devastating Consequences: Long-Term Trauma**

Most of these children are girls who have suffered rape and sexual violence, and have been bought, sold, and trafficked. The psychological scars of such trauma can last a lifetime, leaving survivors with deep-seated emotional wounds and a perpetual sense of fear.

**A Call to Action: Protecting Children from the Scourge of Armed Conflict**

The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict has issued an urgent call to action: "We must do better—because every moment we delay, another child becomes just another number in the long list of conflict-related casualties and violations." Ms. Virginia Gamba, the Special Representative, emphasizes that it is our collective responsibility to ensure that children are protected from the scourge of armed conflict.

**The Path Forward: Collective Action**

To end this practice, we must:

1. **Ensure Safe Humanitarian Access**: Guarantee that aid reaches those in need, without hindrance.
2. **Implement International Laws**: Enforce protocols and treaties prohibiting child recruitment and use.
3. **Protect Children from Explosive Weapons**: Safeguard children from the devastating effects of explosive weapons in populated areas.
4. **Prohibit Military Use of Schools**: Safeguard education as a fundamental right, not a target for military conquest.
5. **Prohibit and Eliminate Anti-Personnel Landmines**: Eradicate the remnants of a bygone era that continue to harm innocent civilians.

**Disputatious Thinking: No Justification for Inaction**

Some may argue that child recruitment is a complex issue, entangled in political and social complexities. While it is true that armed conflicts are multifaceted, this does not justify our inaction. We must acknowledge the gravity of the situation and take decisive action to protect children from exploitation and harm.

**Conclusion: Choosing Compassion Over Indifference**

As we move into 2025, let us choose compassion over indifference and peace over war. Let us rewrite the stories of these children—not with fear and loss, but with healing and hope. The time for debate is over; it is time for collective action.

**Keywords:** Child recruitment, armed conflict, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, child soldiers, humanitarian crisis, international law, peacebuilding.

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By addressing this pressing issue, we can create a more just and compassionate world where children are protected from the horrors of armed conflict. The time for action is now.

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Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.