Introduction
The issue of children serving as soldiers in military conflicts is sensitive indeed. The increasing use of children in military conflicts has grown and threatens the social fibre. Bearing in mind the failure of international legislation to protect the rights of children, there is growing need to tackle the issue. The legal frameworks in place have consistently failed to ensure the welfare and protection of children. Children have therefore been exposed to major risks at a higher level. However a critical analysis of the failure of these strategies points at the poor enforcement of the same. It is against this background that this issue is thoroughly analysed.
Background
The use of children in military activities has not begun recently. This practice has existed since the days of yore. In fact in the ancient days children played crucial roles in the security of kings and also played minor roles in battles. However the situation has drastically changed where children are now engaged in combatant activities. They have graduated from minor roles to frontline military activities. Recent statistics indicate that more than 300 000 children are deployed in military conflicts globally. These children are experiencing harsh conditions in the course of the war (Wessells 86). The young soldiers suffer and more often lose their lives in the battles. This trend has been in practice for a long period now. It is therefore not a new phenomenon to see young people being used in tough military conflicts. This practice in one way of the other is an insult to efforts to curb child abuse and mistreatment. The consequences of using children in war therefore outnumber any benefit that might seem to be derived from it. By all means, this practice must be discouraged and vehemently condemned whenever it occurs. The international community therefore ought to stand up for the rights of children. This does not only involve the enacting of legislations in this regard but also the strict practical enforcement.
Implications
The deployment of children in the military conflicts has far reaching consequences than those presently seen. In fact by all means the consequences outnumber the perceived benefits (Honwana 136). Children rights enshrined in a number of international legislations are directly violated by the deployment of underage children in military conflicts; As a result these children miss out on the very basic needs and necessities which they deserve. In fact their involvement in the conflict puts them is a state of compromise in which they stand to lose. They fail to under gore education which is key t better living at the same time they miss out of tender care and love which is their basic right. The permanent effects of this practice are the damage it causes of their self esteem and perception. In fact long after the conflict is over, the children still suffer from the effects of the battle. Bouts of depression or post traumatic stress disorder permanently alter the lives of these young lads. Efforts to bring about an end to this heinous practice should therefore be intensified. The international community must be compelled to enact and enforce the legislations that will create an enabling environment for the welfare of these children to be realises. More emphasis should no be on the enactment of more laws but rather the enforcement and implementation of the existing ones (Rosen 116). The ongoing exploitation of children in battle fronts is indeed an insult to the efforts of the existing international laws.
Conclusion
Child soldiers have become common n the ensuing military conflicts around the world. The trend has been promoted by he lack of political will to enforce the international legislations which guarantee basic rights for all including children. The dangers posed by this trend and great and grave. The campaign to bring an end to this practice must therefore be continued until the laws are fully enforced to protect the children. The international community therefore must be put in a position where it will stand up to the occasion and the child soldier. The practice should be vehemently be scorned at and discouraged at all levels.
Works cited
Honwana, Alcinda. Child Soldiers in Africa. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2007.
Rosen, David. Armies of the young: child soldiers in war and terrorism. New York: Rutgers University Press, 2005.
Wessells, Michael. Child soldiers: from violence to protection. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 2006.