Children face unprecedented violence in global conflicts

In June 2024, it was reported that children around the world have been significantly affected by conflict and violence, with the United Nations Secretary-General's Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict revealing alarming statistics for 2023. A total of 11,649 children were either killed or wounded due to various forms of violence, predominantly from explosive ordnance, including bombs and remnants from the war, affecting many areas populated by civilians. This violence disproportionately impacted girls, who not only faced sexual violence and forced marriage but were also targeted in attacks on their schools. More than 90% of reported sexual violence incidents were committed against girls. The situation for children globally has worsened, with UNICEF estimating that 473 million children now live in conflict zones or are forcibly displaced as a result of ongoing violence, marking the highest number of affected children since World War II. In December 2024, UNICEF's Executive Director, Catherine Russell, emphasized that the year 2024 would be regarded as one of the worst years on record for children when considering their overall well-being and safety. This increasing number of children affected by conflict is a dire reflection of the ongoing war and violence that claims innocent lives, resulting in numerous children suffering from malnutrition, being out of school, or missing essential vaccinations. Reports indicate that violations of children's rights, including murder, injury, sexual exploitation, and abduction, occur in numerous regions marked by conflict and atrocity crimes. For instance, in Iraq, children abducted by Daesh were subjected to sexual violence as they were forced into marriages. This cruel reality persists even today as reports indicate that thousands of Yazidi women and children remain unaccounted for since their abduction nearly 11 years prior. Similarly, in China, many Uyghur children have been uprooted from their families and placed with Han families, leading to erasure of their ethnic and religious identity. The targeting of children in these regions undermines the future of communities, driving them into despair. Efforts by international bodies like the UN are mandated to address these situations; however, there is a significant lack of justice and accountability for crimes committed against children. The Convention on the Rights of the Child sets forth various rights to be upheld for children, yet these rights continue to be neglected or violated amidst conflict, leaving many children vulnerable to abuse. This trend of impunity, where perpetrators face little to no consequences, heightens the urgency for a collective international response to protect the rights of children and ensure their safety. A call for action, accountability, and commitments from governments worldwide is imperative to safeguard future generations against such atrocities.