Expert seeks measures against involving children in armed conflicts

An Educationist, Mrs Ayokunle Babalola, has called for more concerted and timely efforts at preventing armed conflicts capable of destroying the lives of children.

Babalola, who made the call in Ibadan recently said that attacks on children must never be allowed, under whatever circumstance.

“We need to hold those involved in armed conflicts accountable for their responsibilities over children. Otherwise, children, their families and communities will continue to suffer the devastating consequences.

“When children are directly targeted from the beginning of a crisis, this demonstrates the seriousness of the situation and its potential for escalation.

“Hence, concerned organisations and governments must take necessary steps to find political solutions to armed conflicts and gather timely and accurate information on violations against children,” she said.

Babalola, a social work expert with years of experience working with children in the education sector, noted that thousands of children had lost their entire childhood.

This, according to her, is because most of them have been used as soldiers or made to play other roles in armed conflicts in different parts of the world.

She further said child soldiers were being recruited because they were fearless, easy to manoeuvre, cheaper to sustain, take risks without considering the effects and needed little training.

“Grave violations are being committed against children in conflict zones; many of them are forcefully recruited to fight adults in war or support roles in various countries across the globe.

“The use of children in armed conflicts is a terrible form of child labour and grave violation of human rights.

“Research has proven that children’s upbringing, especially in the first few years, is critical to their successes since it significantly impacts their future emotional, cognitive, social and physical development.

“It also affects their whole growth and the adult they will become. As a result, it is vital to prevent future harm to children’s lives and assist the victims of conflicts by reintegrating them into society,” she said.

Babalola said that technology had advanced the rate at which children were being used for acts of violence owing to improved technology which had turned the world into a global village.

“It is time for all stakeholders to be proactive in resolving this crime against humanity by putting children at the forefront of peace and security agenda, with its remarkable benefits.

“It is not just in terms of safeguarding children from the horrors of war but also in terms of averting conflicts and building peace,” she said.

Babalola said: “Prevention strategies should be focused on rather than the most visible manifestations of violence.

“Prevention has a number of facets, and one of the most proximate to the conflict is early warning.

“Conflict situations need to be monitored actively through predictive models, media monitoring and country briefing.

“These early warning systems exist at both the regional and global levels and they need to be addressed proactively,” she said.

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