Beyond the Binary: Why Gender Matters in the Recruitment and Use of Children

Authors

  • Nidhi Kapur Proteknôn Foundation. The views expressed within this article belong to the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of Proteknôn Foundation, Save the Children, or any other agency at which the authors have previously worked.
  • Hannah Thompson Proteknôn Foundation. The views expressed within this article belong to the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of Proteknôn Foundation, Save the Children, or any other agency at which the authors have previously worked.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15273/allons-y.v5i0.10214

Keywords:

child soldiers, children and armed conflict (CAAC), gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC), Vancouver Principles

Abstract

Gender matters in conflict. Socio-cultural norms, attitudes and expectations related to gender dictate the causes, course and consequences of child soldiering. Despite international commitments, the recruitment and use of children in armed forces and groups persists. This paper summarizes existing quantitative data from the United Nations Monitoring and Reporting Mechanism, in light of complementary qualitative analysis from other sources, to highlight the ways in which gender norms can (a) drive recruitment, (b) determine roles and responsibilities, and (c) influence outcomes for children associated with armed forces or groups. The needs and experiences of girls and boys are explored, and where evidence allows, that of children of diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC). Recommendations are made on potential actions that can further nuance the gender perspective proposed in the Vancouver Principles. Suggestions are made on how to ensure prevention and response interventions are (1) supported by consistently disaggregated data, (2) cognisant of the gender drivers behind recruitment, and (3) tailored to the distinct needs of children of diverse SOGIESC.

Author Biographies

Nidhi Kapur, Proteknôn Foundation. The views expressed within this article belong to the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of Proteknôn Foundation, Save the Children, or any other agency at which the authors have previously worked.

Nidhi Kapur is a child protection, gender and inclusion specialist with over twelve years of field-based experience. Motivated by a strong interest in the complexities of protection programming in conflict and post-conflict zones, she has been deployed to various countries as part of emergency response teams. Nidhi has worked on a multitude of issues with and on behalf of children affected by armed conflict, including on the intersectionality of age, gender and disability in relation to their exposure to violations of their rights. She studied International Relations at the University of Toronto and the London School of Economics. Having lived and worked across the globe, East Africa has been her home since 2008. Nidhi is based full-time in Kigali, Rwanda where she continues her freelance national, regional and international work. 

Hannah Thompson, Proteknôn Foundation. The views expressed within this article belong to the authors alone, and do not necessarily reflect the perspectives of Proteknôn Foundation, Save the Children, or any other agency at which the authors have previously worked.

Hannah Thompson has over twenty year‘s experience supporting child protection, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and education programmes across the globe. She has lived and/or worked in South and Southeast Asia; West, East, Central and North Africa; and the Middle East. Hannah has: supported children associated with armed forces and groups; led case management support for survivors of SGBV; worked with authorities and communities to re-establish and protect schools during conflict; and worked with refugees who are, or identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex to understand their capacities and support needs. Hannah has contributed to and produced numerous flagship reports, publications, and sets of guidance on issues relating to the protection of children. Hannah has a Masters in Anthropology and Development – with a focus on kinship and gender – from the London School of Economics. She currently works out of her home in South West France.

The volume cover showing pink, blue, and yellow silhouettes of children and a soldier against a blue and brown background

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Published

2021-03-31

Issue

Vol. 5 (2021)

Section

Commentaries