Children and DDR

1
Children and DDR

• 5.30

2
Overview

• Introduction
• Guiding principles
• Girls
• Prevention of recruitment and re-recruitment of
  children

• Disarmament and demobilization
• Reintegration
• Conclusion

3
Introduction

• The use of children under the age of 18 in armed
  conflict is illegal
• Children cannot be legally recruited
• Optional Protocol of the Convention of the Rights
  of the Child
• UN Security Council resolutions

4
Guiding Principles

• Guiding principles from the Convention on the
  Rights of the Child
• The childs right to life, survival and
  development
• Non-discrimination
• Child participation
• Childs best interests

5

• Programming
• Technical and operational leadership by
  specialized child protection agencies
• Ensure inclusive programming for all war-affected
  children
• Ensure age-appropriate interventions for each age
  group
• Strengthen existing local capacities
• Participatory and decentralized consultation
• Government should be a key partner/owner
• Systems of coordination and information-sharing
• Training in all matters relating to children
• Staff should gather and process information on
  children
• Protective rules have to be established
• The media should respect rules governing
  reporting on and interviewing children
• The reintegration of children is a long-term
  process

6

• Situation analysis
• Planning
• Carrying out the situation analysis
• Developing programme implementation and
  monitoring and evaluation mechanisms
• Specifying roles and responsibilities of
  stakeholders
• Assuring funding sustainability
• Developing strategies of engagement and exit

7

• Communication and awareness-raising
• Advocacy at peace negotiations
• Access of children to DDR programs
• Criminal responsibility

8
Girls

• Identification and access to demobilization
  processes
• Containment sites and interim facilities
• Reintegration support
• Violence, sexual abuse and exploitation
• Girl mothers and their children

9
Prevention of Recruitment and Re-recruitment of
Children

• Documentation and identification of risks of
  recruitment
• Creation of a protective environment
• Sensitizing combatants, ex-combatants and
  commanders
• Community-level advocacy
• Security sector reform
• Monitoring and reporting on use and recruitment
  of children

10
Disarmament and Demobilization

• Disarmament
• Containment and interim care centres
• Transition from military to civilian life
• Spontaneous demobilization

• Cash payments and benefit packages
• Documentation
• Transport
• Data management
• Family tracing and reunification

11
Reintegration

• Psychosocial support and special care
• Inclusive programming for all was affected
  children
• The role of communities
• Education, training and livelihoods
• Follow-up and monitoring

12
Conclusion