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Forgotten Casualties of War

Girls in Armed Conflict

Authored by: Matt Hobson

Categories: Human Rights, Statebuilding, Violent Conflict
Sub-Categories: Disarmament Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), National Security Forces and Armed Groups, Post-Conflict Reconstruction, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)
Country: Democratic Republic of Congo, Sri Lanka, Sierra Leone
Region: No Region
Year: 2005
Citation: Hobson, Matt. Forgotten Casualties of War: Girls in Armed Conflict. London: Save the Children, 2005.

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Executive Summary

Latest estimates suggest that of the approximately 300,000 children involved in conflicts around the world today, up to 40 percent (120,000) are girls. These girls are rarely acknowledged and are often hidden by the armed groups. They face discrimination on a daily basis – from their fellow soldiers, commanders, fellow citizens, governments and – perhaps most shocking of all – from the international community. This report shows how girls are being overlooked in current efforts to release children from armed groups and support their return home. It challenges existing systems and argues that the international community must fund programmes designed to meet girls’ needs. This means focusing on strengthening communities.