Raising Red Hands, one more time, to say no to the use of child soldiers

In this short refection piece, Dr. Mesfin Loha, country director of World Vision in South Sudan, calls on the global community to not forget the children associated in armed conflict. On 12 February 2023, in commemoration of the Red Hand Day or the International Day Against the Use of Child Soldiers, World Vision joins the global community, children, and friends of children, in the "Your hand counts" campaign to help to stop this abuse of children. Show your Red Hand to the world!

One of the key ingredients to the success of campaigns is consistency and intentionality of messages and engagement. While some achieve intended results in a relatively shorter period, those on issues entrenched in long-standing practices and compounding factors tend to be painstakingly long.

The Optional Protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child for the protection of children in armed conflict came into force on February 2002. It outlaws the recruitment and use of children and adolescents under 18 years in armed conflicts. This Optional Protocol has been accepted by more than 170 governments. Despite this, thousands of children are still involved in active armed conflicts, including recent ones in several African countries and the Middle East.

Experts estimate that there were between 7,000 and 19,000 child soldiers in South Sudan as of February 2021.

Today we must raise a red hand, one more time. Today must be about renewing commitment to stop the grave violation of children's right. Today must be about standing together in the fight against the use of child soldiers.

Children involved in armed conflicts suffer disproportionality from a debilitating convergence of physical, mental, and social impact. Often forced, abducted, or lured into empty promises of a good life and a future, they bear the brunt of harsh conditions, witnessing, and sometimes committing atrocities that no child should see.

While boys make the majority of child soldiers, young girls suffer the most as sex slaves, young cooks, and caretakers of those born in the field, a role they should never have at such a young age.

Despite numerous efforts and some progress to curb the practice, the plight of children recruited into armed conflict remains a serious obstacle to life in all its fullness, for thousands of children. In January 2023, World Vision's project in Western Equatoria identified 12 children (5 girls, 7 boys) associated with armed forces and groups, who are among the 765 children currently receiving psychosocial support.

On Red Hand Day, World Vision joins the global community, children, and friends of children, in the "Your hand counts" campaign to help to stop this abuse of children. Show your Red Hand to the world!

Today must be to raise a Red hand, one more time. Today must be about renewing commitment to stop the grave violation of children's right. Today must be about standing together in the fight against the use of child soldiers.