wessells children, armed conflict and peace

Today, global peacefulness continues to deteriorate with new and emerging tensions and threats to peace, such as a rise in terrorism and a growing recognition of the diverse health and socio-economic impacts of the global pandemic ( Institute for Economics and Peace, 2020 OECD, 2020). It is estimated that by 2030, over half of the world’s poor will be living in fragile and conflict environments, environments compounded by intensifying conflicts, inequitable climate change impacts, and unstable governance ( World Bank, 2020). The use of the age of eighteen is also based on the special population status afforded to children in international law in relation to armed conflict and forced migration. While childhood is defined and understood differently, both regionally and culturally, for the purpose of this paper a child is defined as “every human being below the age of eighteen” based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).

Exposed to inadequate social protections and elevated risks for violence, children “bear the burden” of violence ( WHO, 2014, p.9). Children are disproportionately impacted in fragile and conflict environments.

Wessells children, armed conflict and peace