Women Leaders Preventing the Recruitment of Children in Armed Conflict and Violence
Dalhousie University / Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security
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In South Sudan, Mary Nyathiel from the Nuer Community of Jonglei State is one of the 3,000 Internally displaced persons living in the Mangateen camp in Juba, where she became a community chief. As a woman leader, she worries about the safety of the young boys and girls on her site – many of whom are at risk of sexual violence and being recruited as child soldiers: |
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“I see children involved in gangs and some prone to drug abuse. Those (youth) are at high risk of recruitment. Into armed violence as child soldiers. (Aid) organizations come, but their help is very limited.”
After decades of war and its secession from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan - the newest country in the world - plunged into its own civil war two years later. In 2021 UNICEF estimated that globally, close to 20,000 children have been affected by “recruitment and use, killing and maiming, rape and other forms sexual violence, and or abduction”. Today, those children who have successfully reintegrated into their communities remain at high risk of being re-recruited as conflict continues to flare up in their region.
In 2021, the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, supported by the Fund for Innovation and Transformation, tested an innovative approach side by side with the community. This was the first-time various groups – notable among them, women-led CSOs and the police – joined forces with the community to address and prevent the child recruitment and abuse Mary and many others are concerned about.
Working together with the South Sudan National Police Service, women and men community leaders, as well as youth, the Dallaire Institute’s aim has been to engage the wider community in an awareness-raising dialogue about the issue while also connecting groups of people who seldom talk with each other. Mary was part of the conversation.
Following the initial dialogue with the community members, a special youth and women’s committee formed, with Mary as designated Chair. Now conducting meetings twice a week, she has gone on to support and guide the younger participants. Peacebuilding is discussed, and activities such as sports and cultural dance events are developed and organized to bring the community, children, and youth leaders together.
Advocating against drug abuse as one of the push-and- pull factors for children associated with armed groups is one area in which the committee has made great strides. To tackle the problem of drug abuse and sexual violence, the committee members have also engaged other leaders and youth as well as traditional chiefs and the local mayor in Juba.
Mary says she is pleased with what this innovative solution is accomplishing through community collaboration to ensure at-risk boys and girls from Mangateen are protected. She shared that she also found it rewarding for her and other women to have had the opportunity to be part of the Dallaire Institute’s innovation testing:
“This project has given me an opportunity to be part of the decision-making process amongst the men and to be a voice for the voiceless in protecting children from violence. The women from our committee are now managing to reduce the risk of child recruitment into armed groups, as women are essential in the prevention of violence against children.”
“I thank the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security for all the help and knowledge-sharing which had a great impact on me as a woman in this community. It is a life-changer for me and my community. Now, I’ll be able to talk about child recruitment and our national laws that protect children and girls against sexual violence.”
Learn more about this project’s results and learning here.