The mandate of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict was created by the United Nations General Assembly 25 years ago. Its goal is to strengthen the protection of children affected by armed conflict, raise awareness, promote the collection of information about the plight of children affected by war, and foster international cooperation to improve their protection.
Children are the primary victims of armed conflict. Around the world, over 400 million children live in countries affected by violent conflict, per UNICEF’s figures. According to the latest Secretary-General Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict, 19,379 children were victims of grave violations in 2020.
The six grave violations against children as identified and condemned by the UN Security Council are:
Ending and preventing grave violations against children is at the heart of the Children and Armed Conflict Mandate.
Find more information here.
Presented by Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict
Children are the most vulnerable during an armed conflict. The UN Children and Armed Conflict Mandate was created 25 years ago to better protect children from the ravages of war. This mandate is part of the driving force behind the exhibition From Despair to Hope: Children beyond Armed Conflict.
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