“Will you listen?” Young voices from conflict zones MACHEL STUDY 10-YEAR STRATEGIC REVIEW CHILDREN AND CONFLICT IN A CHANGING WORLD

The 1996 UN report “The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children”, widely known as the Machel study, for the first time brought the issues faced by children in armed conflict to international attention. Ten years later, a strategic review has now been convened to assess progress and look forward to identify key challenges and priorities for the future of the Children and Armed Conflict Agenda. The resulting report is to be presented to the General Assembly in October 2007, with the publication of more detailed analysis and findings to follow over the next year.

This Companion to the 10 year Machel Strategic Review compiles the views and recommendations of some 1,700 children and young people in 92 countries. Their thoughts and ideas were collected as a key contribution to the Review through a series of focus group discussions and an online questionnaire1.

Focus group discussions were conducted by UNICEF, UNFPA and NGO partners in 18 countries, and involved approximately 1385 participants in 125 focus groups2.The discussions were conducted in countries recently or currently affected by armed conflict3. The online survey received 385 responses from a total of 92 different countries, a majority of which (78%) were from developing countries.

The focus group discussions included children and young people who have experienced conflict themselves, with many of the participants speaking about how their own lives have been affected. Facilitators tried to ensure a safe environment, to use the local language where appropriate and to create a certain ‘comfort level’ for the participants despite the unique challenges in each country4.

For example, participants in Rwanda requested to submit their answers in writing, as they felt talking about their experiences in a group setting would open up many wounds. A focus group discussion in Somalia was held through a radio show in which more than 140 children and young people called in to talk about their experiences.

The following pages present a wide range of voices, concerns and demands captured by these discussions and online surveys. For more details and background on the survey that lead to this companion report, please visit www.unicef.org/voy

This report was compiled and edited by Vidar Ekehaug from the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN) and Chernor Bah, Special Youth Fellow at UNFPA. Special thanks go to Mima Perisic, Naseem Awl and the Division of Communication from UNICEF, Cécile Mazzacurati and David Del Vecchio from UNFPA, Susan Nicolai from the Machel Review Secretariat, Jenny Perlman Robinson from the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children, and all the GYAN team.

1 The survey process was organized by partners including the Global Youth Action Network (GYAN), Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Women’s Commission for Refugee Children and Women. 2 See Annex III for full breakdown of focus groups. There was an intentional effort to include children and older youth who had lived through conflicts and were able to reflect on their experiences. 3 Focus groups, organized at the initiative of various partners took place in Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Haiti, , Kosovo (Serbia), Liberia, Nepal, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Philippines, Rwanda, , Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan and . These countries were either included in the 2006 Annual Report of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict (A/61/529-S/2006/826) or were visited by Mrs. Machel to prepare the 1996 study. 4 See Annex II for full gender, age and regional breakdown of online survey respondents. “Will you listen?” Young voices from conflict zones We are displaced children. We are children who have been used by armed groups. We are orphans. We are street children. We are girls who sell our bodies to survive. We are children who have to work We are children who can’t go to school. We are children with disabilities. We are children living with HIV. We are detained children. We are girls who have been raped. We are children taking care of our brothers and sisters.

We are children without a childhood.

2 “We have all lost a part of our life, and it will never come back.” – Young man, 18, Burundi

We are from Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, , Haiti, Iraq, Kosovo (Serbia), Liberia, Nepal, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uganda and many other countries.

We won’t tell you our names because it could be dangerous for us.

We all have one thing in common: Our lives have been affected by armed conflict. That is why, even though we come from different places and our problems are not always the same, we speak with one voice.

We have not given up all hope yet. We still want to go to school and play with our friends. We want to help build peace in our societies and make this world a better place. We still have big dreams.

For some of us, getting together for the sake of this report gave us a rare opportunity to sit with our friends and share our stories. It has also been an opportunity to finally tell you what we feel and think.

But talking is not enough. Will we see any change after you meet to talk about us? Will you hear our voices and act on what we tell you?

We have tremendous energy and a strong will to fight for our futures. Many of us are already taking action. Will you join us?

3 WE LIVE IN VIOLENCE

“They are not human. They worship guns. They don’t have sisters and brothers, they only have a gun.” – Girls and young women, 14–17, Somalia

“There has been violence all our lives. People see In wars, we suffer from and witness some of the violence, they grow up with it, and they know it. They worst forms of violence committed against us repeat it. There is no food, no work, no education, but and the people we love. Some of us have been there is pressure from the family. And there is nothing born in the midst of this violence. It has become to stop violence, there is impunity.” – Young people, a way of life. 15–19, sex not specified, Haiti Many of us, especially the boys, are forced to “We were mobilized by our clan militia heads to join various armed forces. They then put us in come to the playground. All of us were young people the front of the battlefields or force us to spy about the same age. They told us to defend our on the opposition. They brainwash us into village. We were in the queue with our guns. When believing that we are fighting to defend our the Marehan clan attacked us we defended our rights and our communities. Even the girls village.” – Boys and young men, 14–17, Somalia are put through this.

“Girls also are enrolled in the army, to fight or to carry As soldiers, we are sometimes given strong ammunition and other loads.” – Young people, 15–23, drugs and put through grotesque rituals to make sex not specified, Burundi us “strong” and not afraid.

“After I was taken to the front, they give me blood Some of us who have lost our parents and live to drink which they said was the first test, and will in the streets are tempted to join the militia: At make me more and more brave.” Young man, age not least they will take care of us. specified, Liberia Violence is all around us every day, not only in “Orphans and street children join militias at clan the battlefields. Sometimes those who care for checkpoints to rape, loot and kill the people. They are us – even family members and teachers – treat security guards of the warlords. The oldest of them is us badly and without respect. They may beat us 17 years old. They are sent by the warlords. If you try or make us feel as though we are nothing. We to advise them they will kill you. We see them taking know that the war has been hard on everyone, drugs before they go to fight and the possibility to but do we have to be treated this way? escape from them is rare.” – Girls and young women, 14–17, Somalia Even when wars end, the violence does not stop. It shows itself in many other forms–through “People are drunk and fighting. Everything is different gangs, our families and sometimes “violence than home. My father hits my mother and drunken just for the fun of it.” people destroy light bulbs and buildings.” Girl, 14, Sri Lanka, internally displaced persons (IDP) transit Some of us see small guns and harmful drugs centre sold everywhere in our communities. Some of “My father used to hit my mother and all of us. He us are easily trapped in this culture of guns and has no job and the family’s needs are enormous. drugs which has changed our communities into The only way for him to express his frustration is by violent places that make us feel unsafe and fill shouting and hitting.” – Girl, 14, Occupied Palestinian us with fear. Territory OUR VOICES OUR CONCERNS 4 OUR VOICES – Young woman, 17, Haiti families. There are still noalternatives for us.” involved incrime andinviolenceto our help “It remembered shouldbe that many of usare LeoneSierra At least here manage…” Ican – I know noonethere. Iwould still have to struggle. country too. Ican’t anywhere go if Irun to Guinea. There isnowhere to go. This ismy andmy home we get the evil eye andare discriminated against. theybecause still believe trick’ Ihave inme; the‘bush inmyanything. family people Some still fear me “There are many of uswho not do have or jobs to addicted drugs.”and become “Children are andyoung people turned into thieves children.” other each ontospur murder, to rape andto abuse them act violently, more andmore so, until they arms. These start people usingdrugs, which makes ofBecause drug trade money, acquire can people “Drugs are the root of cause recent armed conflict. – Young men,16–18, Haiti Young man,22, – Girl,14, Colombia 5 another way. to survive Joining wewant. what or wefeel how about care even don’t They school. at us of fun make children Other us. with play to not children their tell some and names bad outcasts. like us treat communities houses. our leaving comfortable feel communities, toour we return when us, among ex-combatants the For tosurvive. drugs sell become friends our of Many violence is sometimes the only way only the sometimes is violence and protect our families. We need We need families. our protect and It becomes an escape. an becomes It drug addicts and we do not not wedo They call us us call They Our

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES – Girl,14, Afghanistan after that andmy education isstill incomplete.” losthad everything. not to Icould go school of ourfamily andafter losinghimwe felt we Mywere father was the displaced. supporter life. “ forpay it.” and live there now, but it isvery hard for usto it. for topay money have to buildahouse, aplace but have . to Afghanistan. back We came We migrated to Pakistan. We lived for 10 years in during“Our war was andwe home damaged (Serbia) 17–20, sexpeople, not specified, Kosovo movement andeducation system.” “The isthe freedom challenge biggest of Palestinian Territory should have.” the rights least simple that any individual live“We ina specified, Somalia the of last the part journey.” trips, these our friends, brothers andsisters pay them to take usacross to . Many of us the false promise of abetter life, when we we now have“In ‘seafarers’ Somalia, who offer woman, 17, Philippines were usthrough chasing the woods.” homes our we fled conflict broke“When out inourcommunity, Young 15, woman, Afghanistan works.” brother nowmy and older – died My father damaged. was house Our 14-year thewar, sister. and old “During my brother Ilost old 10-year THOSE WELOVE WE LOSE OUR HOMES AND The war had a very negative effect on our our on effect negative avery had The war I lost my father during the fighting and we – Young man,17, Afghanistan asthey often ordered to swim huge prison —Young woman, 17, Occupied

andit felt like the bullets We have rented ahouse , deprived of – Age andsex– Age not do not survive survive not do – Young – Young no 6 skills and means to do so. so. do to means and skills the welack if even families, our sometimes and ourselves for fend suddenly must ended have childhoods our but yet adults not We are eyes. our before committed atrocities brutal of memories by the haunted sometimes We are place. asafe reach wecan’t and us after come still can forces have armed The even it worse. sometimes countries own our within displaced remain who us of Those again. home go ever will country astrange in are us of others But being is move. It to forced being not is problem the us, of some For fear. and poverty and violence of free life, abetter finding of hopes country, another toreach lives our risk or deserts barren across walk us of Some guidance. for to up looked and weloved people other and neighbours and relatives We miss friends. our and teachers our easy. We not miss is place a new in again family? To your even maybe and start friends your livelihood, your home, your from suddenly to like be would it what imagine you Can forever.sometimes neighbours, and families our from separated toflee forced We were backs. our on clothes the than more little with often run, to We had happening. was what weknew before villages and towns our to came war us, of many For lose everything so suddenly that we became without knowing if we if knowing without forced to seek refuge refuge toforced seek very abruptly. We abruptly. very – to be uprooted uprooted be –to unable to move. to unable in

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES space.” sitting outside it inthe sundueto there no being “There isapermanent here, school but we are often horrible. everywherepeople It space. was inavery small we“When were there living camp inthe IDP were – Girl,12, SriLanka ” – Girl,13, SriLanka 7 somewhere. webelong like feel to just forces, fighting the join to communities our to back going like feel even us of Some kids. local the as same the us treat to or us teach to refuse sometimes schools the in teachers the Even children. their with play to fit not weare say sometimes unwelcome. culture anew in live to try who us of Those us. or accept understand to fails world the why wonder and respect. any without ourselves find often settlements other and camps refugee to it make who us of Those People in the host communities communities host the in People We sometimes lose hope hope lose We sometimes treated feel feel

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES AIDS.” “Girls have raped been andthis resulted has inHIV/ child.” –Young Burundi woman, not age specified, “It ishard to raise when achild you are yourself a trauma.” children born from the killers. It’s atrauma ontop of “[Girls who have raped] been now take care of to the hospital.” “Every onthe week inchildbirth road dies awoman reduced to 20years.” thanks to apresidential pardon, my sentence was it was put inprison. sentenced been Ihad to life but Bujumbura. Iprovoked of andbecause an abortion pregnant but away, I was chased soIreturned to myself pregnant, unwillingly. home back Icame children inBujumbura. raped He meandIfound took meintoA neighbour to hishome after look his “I lost my father andmy mother of the because war. man, 16, Leone Sierra girl isnot yet of they age get damaged.” “The girls when captured are wives made andif the 15–19, Haiti sex not specified, theymeans onasprostitutes.” go for girl-mothers to stay with their families, which girls are too young andphysically too small. It ishard there isalways the risk of early pregnancy, when the don’tSometimes people pay the prostitutes, and prostitutes andgirls who are raped it isvery difficult. are victims of sexual violence. Forgirls who are “Little girls are affected especially they because to metoo.”– thing thesame do might 14, Girl, Liberia he want to say nobecause don’t and fear of because him accepted Ijust wife. to make mehis house took meto his also but them, stopped and came father who knewmy commanders their oneof to meuntil thing thesame did them Aboutfive of fighting. Iwas mebecause raped and “The meup tied attackers WE FACE AND RAPE EXPLOITATION – Young Rwanda women, 19–29, – Young Rwanda women, 19–29, – Young woman, 19, Liberia – Young Burundi woman, 20, – Young people, – Young 8 to get the care and support weneed. support and care the get to unable and communities by our ostracized and stigmatized ourselves find weoften happens, HIV/AIDS infections. sexual other or contracting of risk increased at us put can Rape attackers have to sometimes us among girls the enough, not is raped being if As wehave endured. else everything of top on consequences legal severe wemay suffer illegal, is this where countries in us of those For this. do to skills the without abortions dangerous have to us of some lead pregnancies Unwanted us. help to nurse or doctor no is there when and ready, not are bodies our when birth unwanted pregnancies. with us among girls the leaves sometimes Rape protection. their weget then least at to, but want –wedon’t us force men army The girls. little still weare when chosen, we have not are wealso war of times In spirit. the physical injuries. to leads developed, fully not are bodies whose sisters and brothers younger our against especially attack, the of brutality the Often attackers. several are there Sometimes us. among youngest the even includes assault. sexual of forms other or rape have suffered girls, the especially us, of Many – with no help at all. at help no –with

In every case, it is is it case, every In performed by people by people performed raise the children of our our of children the raise We are afraid of giving giving of afraid We are forced tomarry forced devastating damaging to When this this When This men men

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES man, 20,Burundi give them money inexchange for sex.” “As boys 18 under inprison are poor, adult men the family.”support to give her. We allrely onthe money shegets to but Ihave not given Ido have since up anything peacekeepers for money. Itried to stop herbefore out togoes have sex with humanitarian workers and “My sister isonly 15 years oldbut every night she experienced.” these not women what do talk about much they have traumatized. of Because the mentality inKosovo women were raped during the war andthey were different types of whereas physical abuse young “As young isconcerned far boys asgender faced woman, 17, Burundi we fight next go So to ourbrothers.”AIDS. a girl, better you of think abullet die you’d rather than of“Because the scourge when of you HIV/AIDS, are – Young men,16–19, Kosovo (Serbia) – Young man,17, Liberia – Young – Young 9 are we living in if we accept rape as normal? as rape weaccept if in weliving are aworld of kind What about. anything do can’t they something life, everyday of part as it accept normalized become has it widespread countries, our of some In girls. for is it than about talk to boys for harder even is it But exploitation. and abuse sexual of victims only the not are women young and Girls sex. for exchange in fees, school our waive or girls, the to grades passing give teachers places, some In schoolteachers. even peacekeepers, workers, humanitarian us: protect to wetrust people the of Some way survive. to only the is that times At medicines. money, or for food exchange in haveWe to sometimes exist? doesn’t problem the pretend wehave to if people young other to happening from it weprevent can How silence? in suffer wemust if weheal can how But us. to happened has what about talk cannot us of Taboos adults who sexually exploit us exploit sexually who adults against discussing rape mean that many many that mean rape discussing against sleep with older men older with sleep sexual violence is so so is violence sexual are the very very the are . People . People

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES slippers] inschool.” Bata not plastic accept [local andhedoes no shoes “The isvery inthe strict principal school –we have think ofpeople us!” if girls to it go for isa shame school usandwhat will restrictions. The members male of the family think that “[Girls] alsocan’t attend dueto family schools some 13–18, SriLanka for play andschooling.” have to out help with the family andhave lesstime after we resettled it ismore for common the girls to to to ourfamilies do help were the about same, but “During the extra displacement chores that we had why they missschool and ourbelongings.” to stay andtake care of younger sisters andbrothers, “Sometimes parents to go the andwe village have – Young menandwomen, 15–19, focus group Haiti for who rich asked people them to fight for them.” there was nothing else, sothey were ready to work took to violence because go up Many people school. “If there isnowork, there isnomoney for children to Territory Palestinian Occupied nosafetymeans for anyone at any time.” in the street, oreven orinschool at home, which atthat any may time, happen of some usmay die “For the time there being, are many violent attacks nothing.” children. Children have nothing to do, they learn Parentsclosed. don’t have the money to sendtheir are new“No schools the oldonesare opened, Iraq women, 13–20, young people’s state of mind.” another. This anegative has onchildren impact and education institutions are closedfor one reason or “Often during armed conflicts, andother schools “This ignorance.” ayear of is Territory –Young Palestinian woman, 16, Occupied OUT ONSCHOOLWE MISS – Young menandwomen, 15–19, Haiti – Young woman, 15, Afghanistan – Girl,14, Sri Lanka – Girls,10–14, asked SriLanka, – Girlsandyoung women, – Girlsandyoung

– Girl,12, 10 They say say They go. always wecan’t schools are there when Even school fees parents our schools, are there when even countries, our of many In ambushes. or by mines killed or abducted be wewill fear for school to go cannot us of Some killed sometimes are Our conflict. the in targeted may be school Our be. to them weneed spaces safe the always not are schools our remain, buildings destroyed in the fighting. our of Some continuing of war. the to lead even can It activities. dangerous other and violence more into tempted are us of many hope of lack and ignorance this of aresult As ignorance. in up growing are we learning, be weshould When us. escape will dreams our that war, of weworry because school of years or months welose when But life. better a of dream to wehave aright that and future our to essential is education that We believe are ashamed to leave the house. house. the leave to ashamed are and menstruation our handle way to we have no because month every class of days afew miss us of Some out. them carry to school missing up end wegirls that time-consuming so be can chores girls. the for harder but us of all for hard is school Attending families. our of members elderly the and sisters and brothers younger school may toquit have we parents, our have lost who us of those For certificates? school our Or cards? identity our take to time wehad think you do flee to we had we don’t have the papers papers the have we don’t and uniforms. uniforms. and school buildings have been been have buildings school Water collection and other other and collection Water or must run for their lives. lives. their for run must or cannot afford the high high the afford cannot to take care of our our of care take to Even when the the when Even – but when when – but teachers teachers even even

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES – Young Liberia woman, 22, class; Iamtoo oldfor that. But Istill want to learn.” now andsit back inthe go Icannot same school. 10 years then, ago. to Ihave Since back not gone “I was infifth grade when the to war my came village man, 17, SriLanka thinkme andIcannot anything about else.” read the other to about papers back shellingit comes shelling. Iamtoo restless to sit inexams. When I “I sit cannot exams asmy relatives close inthe died – Young 11 to be deprived of it because of war? of because it of deprived be to wehave do why all, for aright is education basic If siblings. and friends younger our with class same the in sit and back go to ashamed feel wars, from away running years and years wespend When killed. being relatives our and us to happened what about thinking wekeep because concentrating time a hard wego, wehave if even And school. to go to clean tokeep soap we camps our of many In we miss many years of school. school. of years many we miss and then we are too ashamed ashamed too weare then and don’t have water and and water have don’t We We

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES family. Ialsowork with him.” Afs which isvery little or300 foronly a large 200 responsibility. killed were parents my “After Liberia just not do waste my time to go.” than you are, waiting for treatment inlonglines.I to get there, there are who are people more sick one ishours away on foot. Even when you manage “There are inthis andthe village noclinics closest Sri Lanka proper shelter] andwe have noshoes.” are“We getting toaccess them.” centres health and have health problems. There are “Children have lots of problems, for example we health assistance. brother got injured.my 4-year-old “My father was killed andboth my grandmother and sometimes. hungry are this that means we don’t get food everyday, that “Our parents have lost their livelihood, andfor us Somalia and we have not any had food to eat.” sides, two warring between line got stuck“We a inourhousewhich became Philippines gone. were possessions When we went to ourhouse, back without ourhomes fled “We bringing anything. Leone Sierra specified, risk their lives to findfood.” – was “There you fromdying.” –Young Leone 18, man, Sierra save you do, can only God If to pray“Our sick. thatwe is notget do only hope WE STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE no food and water. and food no sick from the sun sun the from sick He isalabourerHe andearns every day – Boy, 14, Afghanistan ” here andwe have limited very – Girl,13, Somalia ” ” – Boy, 14, SriLanka – Young man,17, Young man,agenot my brother took took my brother – Boy, 13, Afghanistan very few clinics clinics few very People had to had People They did not get get not They did – Young man,18, all of our our of all we panicked, panicked, we [due to of lack – Boy, 13, – Girl,13, front we 12 resort to resort us of some it, way get to other no absolutely have but families our for food find have to or starving weare when desperate, very are we When it. earning way of no and money no with destitute, and homeless ourselves find and families our from separated been wehave if especially survive, to do must us of many what imagine You cannot become maids. shoes, shine cigarettes, sell pay: small for families. our and ourselves of care take help to we have that means this us of some For school. to us send or us for provide can’t they times many but us, of care take to try families Our them. reach to trying while attacked have been us of some that areas, dangerous away,far such in or so often are functioning are that facilities weneed. things very the lacks or destroyed been has it find weoften clinic, or toahospital it make wefinally when Even fighting. the in caught getting of afraid weare because freely travel cannot we Or destroyed. sometimes are Roads reach. to harder even them makes conflict most, the needed may be care medical time very At the or medicines. treatment get wecan where hospital no have wesometimes injured, or sick weget When new homes. and water food, find –to survive to ways find to left We are struggle. of alife into us force they homes, our than more destroy Wars selling sex tosurvive. sex selling We do all kinds of work, of kinds all We do The few often often

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES not continue hisuniversity studies. “My father working stopped andmy brother could Liberia “Nothing for goes nothing.” – terrible thing.” Occupied Palestinian Territory Palestinian Occupied we“Why do have to punished?” be – Young man,16, Angola unemployment, youth andmany more.” delinquency have “Armed [may conflict be] but finished, we still spear.” like to teaching someone hunt without giving them a training, [the training] is “If [the organization] doesn’t provide after machines families.” they are forced to work andearn aliving for their the streets. “ Territory living. we are into “Many girls findthemselves inthe street going have no choice. “I am not to astreet ashamed be vendor, because Most of the children in Afghanistan work on on work Afghanistan in children the of Most prostitution, other types of wars wars of types other – Young men,18, Uganda – Girl,14, Afghanistan At the when age they shouldjust study, ” – Young woman, 18, Burundi – Boys, 10–13, Occupied Palestinian – Boys, Palestinian 10–13, Occupied ” – Young man,18, Angola because of poverty.because It really isa as good as useless. – poverty, illiteracy, Girl, age not specified, Girl,agenot specified, God knows how how knows God – Girl,14, It’s It’s I 13 Why don’t you ask us what weneed? what us ask you don’t Why our community. in useful not is trade new our that find and thing same the learning up end us of many So wewant. skills what know they assume they communities, our into come organizations When them. get to weneed training the get to these but jobs, get to want enough old are who us of Those do have to us of Most survive. to steal to forced are others while drugs sell or streets, the on beggars become violence. and abuse forced or misled into have been us of some this, of all of Because wars deprive us of opportunities opportunities of us deprive wars Some of us are forced to to forced are us of Some criminal activities, drug activities, criminal dangerous jobs.

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES parents.” They most denied disabled. of usthe love of our of ourrelatives, of andsome ushomeless us made “They of some usorphans, killed made orall some women, 14–18, Nepal knew what to was going happen.” were scared working outside We ourhomes. never were“We scared working ourhomes; inside we to.” go to “There are notrees to andnoplayground play under sad.” get together with ourfriends anymore. That isso “There for this isnosummercamp year. not We can witnessingherbrother’s after Liberia, murder Everybody was running here andthere.” so many times medicine. andwas very sick. No my dreams, in my brother I see “I was sick, confused anddrunk inmyself, Ican’t eat, Somalia blood. in drenched people of to dream scattered body. We who collected was his dead. old neighbour our14-year andIsaw Hassan, explosion happened an explosion, Irushed to where the place the Iwas playing“While football with friends, Iheard attacks.” mother to let inherroom mesleep during the “I hate they nights because scare me. Iaskmy – Young Territory Palestinian woman, Occupied not akind of life that any shouldlive.” being human are“We always pressure under andreally this is anytime.” happen, Anything can on onething. –Young woman, 18, Lanka Sri concentrate we war so cannot about thinking stop cannot thetime all “The children WE LOSE OUR CHILDHOODS – Girl,13, Iraq – Boy, 10, Territory Palestinian Occupied – Young woman, 18, Rwanda – Girl, 10, Sri Lanka, IDP transitcentre– Girl,10, IDP SriLanka, I could not sleep for nights; I used Iused nights; for sleep not I could I was bleeding Iwas bleeding – Girlsandyoung – Girl,10, ” – Boy, 13, 14 affection. anymore tous attention to pay is There care. and love their We miss by them. held being and cuddling miss especially parents, our welose When time. any at abducted or captured killed, be could families our of member safe. not we are that weknow because afraid always We are with. stories our share to one wehave no and fear greater even in live We friends. our with play and loud out talk to wehad opportunity only the of us deprives this centres. play the and school happen things these all When next. us be could it that think We also traumatized are and terribly them We miss maimed. or killed relatives and friends our see We sometimes us. for terrible very become nights The them. about talk even to afraid are experiences past our of nightmares and We have dreams rooms. our in alone sleep to afraid are children, younger We, the us affect these how imagine can’t ...you wars during wesee things terrible the and bombs and guns of sounds shocking The by what we saw happen to them. them. to happen wesaw by what We always worry that we or a weor that worry We always we younger children children weyounger For some of us girls, girls, us of some For we cannot go to go we cannot or to give us us give to or but we but nobody

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES man, 15, “[The to to needs go the grass UN] roots.” artificial leg.” “During the war Ilost onelegandnow Ihave an woman, 16, Leone Sierra forhomes them, andthen educate them.” amputated they please, So limbs. shouldbuild or they only have oneparent who probably has of them are war affected. Their mothers are dead why shouldn’t they get the opportunity? most And are allmy peers. Why shouldn’t they to go school, I seethem Inever the children feel because good andtheybeggars are assisted by children. When “If you to go the Fourah Bay road there are many Territory Palestinian Occupied over.” is not there. When we askthey say the funding is “Many times aprogramme, we about hear then it help.”to Even if they Iguess not do did, have the money “They (in the government) just not do care us. about Territory Palestinian Occupied themselves ontheir seats.” “The government personnel are busy to keep are just inkonpaper.” “These documents are for they people, diplomatic Sri Lanka rights.” have we know we is breaking tell we the them can CRC to stop because of the Child] from radio news andwhen somebody heard“We [Convention the about CRC onthe Rights worse.” everything making is this –Young and too soon, woman, 18, Lanka Sri They leaving us. all are “NGO/UN supporting areas, our in working have been HELP US WE KNOW YOU ARETRYING TO – Young 10–18, sex people, not specified, – Young man,15, Leone Sierra – Young woman, 15, Afghanistan – Young man,15, Liberia, – Young man,18, – Young man,16, – Young – Young 15 giving uswhat they think we need. weneed. what us ask really never Some ofthemalsocome to helpusbutthey as soonthegunsgo silent. Some programmes andservicescompletely end enough long stay not do towns donotget any help. Those ofuswholive insomevillages andremote provision for us. Many oftheseprogrammes forget to make special us live inthe streets orhave beenputinprison. disabilities. Many have lostourparents. Othersof help themost–are left out. Someofuslive with Unfortunately, someofus–theoneswhoneed we return to our communities. Some helpusduring thewar, incampsandwhen and otherserviceswhenwe needthemmost. They bring usfood, shelter, clothes, medicines NGOs. humanitarian and agencies international We really appreciate thegood works ofsome to seeachange butare too weakened by war. lack thepower to domuch even whenthey want playing politics. And someofourgovernments us. about care not many ofourcountries, we feel services. basic with us of some provide that programs have governments our of Some lives. daily our in areality them tomake little do often but documents these sign are yet to cometrue. But for many more ofus, they are dreams that to standupfor ourrights. documents give ustheconfidenceandstrength have signedto tryto protect us. Some ofthese the laws, conventions andtreaties thatyou community international the We thank While we suffer, they are busy Some of our governments governments our of Some inourcommunities. Some organizations our leaders do do leaders our They endup for all Butin

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES a role in providing justice andrevealing those who keeping the Courtalsoplayed The peace. Special forgiveness step andthis onegood towards been has to apologize for crimes committed andhave received agreathelped have People the deal. had opportunity “The TRC [Truth Commission] andReconciliation what to do.” don’t to come ourmeetings, andwe can’t tell adults country, sharing oneculture help. But the can adults ofimportance sharing andliving together inone “Teaching others andgiving awareness of the – Young Territory man,16, Palestinian Occupied other.each Isthat not what allreligions talk about?” “They shouldjust learn to give andtake andtolerate failed.” and tradition. far So allattempts have to buildpeace othereach equally andrespect others’ each religion representationequal andthe to parties need treat meetings“When take there place, to needs be Indonesia making friends than they are.” for them? even Ihave noidea, children are better at it better than having other people’s lives taken away better. other each toknow byside side live they finishit? Even it’s though they mean, have to conflict by themselves andthey’re not let out until alone andunarmed andit’s to up them to finishthe “Why don’t we put them [world leaders] inaroom Iceland behaviour, isthe of war.” cause ‘frekja’. Ibelieve that‘frekja’, mixed with overbearing the right to others cause mental pain, orphysical, is from is‘frekja’. your sibling To think that you have way to the front of alineis‘frekja’. To snatch atoy to pushiness,greed, andnerve. cheek To your elbow direct translation but inthe applies language, English “There word, isanIcelandic frekja, which no has Pakistan stopped.” be War –Young can occur. can thatachange woman, 15,“I believe WE CAN BEAFORCE FORPEACE – Young SriLanka woman, agenot specified, – Young man,17, SriLanka – Young woman, 20, – Young woman, 16, Isn’t 16 to go and participate in the Commissions. Commissions. the in participate and go to us allow not do sometimes parents Our stories. own our them tell to opportunity the areas rural in us of those give not do often They out. us of many leave they generally But people. young have involved Commissions these of Some communities. our in peace and trust rebuild helps This other. each forgive and stories our Commissions Truth Reconciliations and example, For inincluded making peace. never war, almost make to but used often We are humans? all, After respect. and dignity with equally, treated be to likes Everyone war. in results sometimes this origin, tribal ethnicity, situation, economic colour, race, their of because differently others treat you When start. not would wars most case, the were that us? If teach they by what live they don’t why so peace, in live to and another one love to us want religions our all that taught of name the in killed even are and suffering of alot face children us of Many suffering. much so us cause that wars make and arms up take to need not other, toeach talk and tolisten willing We also believe that that others. all than more wesuffer wars, all in that fact the ignore They children. than important more are issues wars, their In decisions. their making in us about think not do they that resources and power for greedy so are leaders Our everywhere. leaders political of We believe that the

can be a good forum for us to tell tell to us for forum agood be can are the cause of war war of cause the are greed and selfishness selfishness and greed if only adults are are adults only if religion. are we not all all wenot are We are We are they will will they We We

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES world. that. Right now, the ARE future“We aware shouldbe andpeople of – Young man,19, Liberia They shouldaddress trust inourcommunities.” give sosomeof ussellourtools usnojobs, to live. work incommunities who not do trust us.The people “The but they isgood, train DDR usandsendto women andchildren.” well,going but still we not do feel secure –especially Reintegration] process which is for peacebuilding have [Disarmament,“We aDDR Demobilization and andsex age people, not specified, act onthe expressed needs by the children.” the radio andmaybe sometimes the government may now the opportunity exists for children on to speak “Before, onewould not children hear onthe radio but 15–19,people, Leone Sierra sex not specified, were the perpetrators main during the war.” ” – Young woman, 16, Colombia we are inheriting a very unstable unstable avery inheriting weare Girl, 14, Afghanistan

Sierra LeoneSierra – Young –

Young Young 17 develop our countries. our develop and rebuild communities, our reconcile to how discuss and you with sit to We want forward. peace push to We have ideas communities. our in reconciliation and peace of part be to We want programmes. these for register to simply guns buy communities our in people Some forces. fighting the of one of members wewere if even have guns, not wedo because away turned weare toregister try us among only on combatants. concentrate programmes Some too. conflict the by affected wehave been though even out us of many leave sometimes programmes DDR But again. communities our into fit and past the move beyond us help to training and support by providing hope us give and lives new build us help They societies. our in weapons harmful other and programmes DDR voices. our air we have to other. the encourage to opportunity the us gives media The reconciliation. and healing country’s our of apart be to chance another as media other and radio We see experiences. our share if tous happen might what about worry also The media is sometimes the only platform platform only the sometimes is media The community people to forgive each each toforgive people community talk about our experiences try to collect all the guns guns the all collect to try And when some of the girls girls the of some when And

and to to and

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES passion, butpassion, we listenpeople kids to like us.Some me have the the“We children should raise ourvoices somore Rwanda specified, radio, give sowe ourviews.” can “There isaprogramme on children’s rights onthe Somalia sex not specified, togive express usachance ouropinion.” “Youth websites, magazines andradio programmes toam able control learn discipline, andgroup work.” “I to belong the group Scout andIlike I it because Territory there.” and feel when we younger good children help enjoy “We ourparticipation inthe summercamps man, 18, Angola is vital for of the aprogramme.” success atof various young people levels of programming organizations onissues affecting us. Involvement the governmentand engage andinternational it.about to need proactive We be asyoung people and yet the themselves young people nothing do not having things better done for young people “There isatendency to the blame government for Indonesia not specified, want to something do it.” to change feel“We andunderstand what’s sowe happening, – Boy, 14, People’s Democratic Republic of Korea destinies. see themselves asresponsible “Young andchildren people shouldstart to us.” to be has It us. –Young 18, man, Liberia thework for all thatdo theNGOs be can’t It again. good country to make this training basic We need communities… our to rebuild empowered be that should – country. –theyoung thatwe“We us people have this agree itis And destroyed WE HAVE AROLE TO PLAY – Young Palestinian man,18, Occupied ” – Young Nigeria man,23, just don’t know how to do it. todo how know don’t just for their own their for – Age andsex– Age not – Age andsex– Age – Young – Age and – Age ” 18 and voices. voices. and inputs our include and us concern that issues address that communities our in stations radio have to We like communities. our in discussions to contribute and ourselves express us of Through to play together. love We all drawing. or songs concerts, through ourselves expressing like us of Some have fun. to just and past our about forget other each help to games and sports use We sometimes weknow. that little another one teach even We sometimes to. turn wecan people only the sometimes are groups youth our of members parents, our have lost who us of some For wecan. that ways the in other each support and other each where spaces safe valued creating are us of some programmes, and groups centres, youth our Through communities. and lives our in change for working are us of many communities, our in change for leaders as providers, service as action. into them to put trying are us of some and We ideas many have communities. our help and needs our to respond to groups and organizations programmes, many We started have help. to else nobody is there societies some In them. of some carry have to we that huge so are burdens The communities. actions war, of because face we that problems these all of midst the In to help ourselves and our families and and families our and ourselves help to the media, especially the radio, the especially media, the we play together, learn from from learn together, weplay we are taking different different taking we are As advocates for peace, peace, for advocates As the the some

OUR CONCERNS OUR VOICES – Young Uganda man,agenot specified, tocommunity know cares someone them.” about “ Afghanistan “They think times.” Adults are seenasthe key makers decision at all arebut chances very limited dueto express could “We andraise ourconcerns voices, I volunteer my time I volunteer – Age and sex not specified, Somalia andsex– Age not specified, we do not know anything. know not we do because Iwant the because cultural barriers. ” – Girl,14, 19 does not happen to the generations to come. to generations the to happen not does real change compensation. expecting without our up giving are us of Many girls. the for especially hard, is This customs. the against is it say they us, of many For us. with work to willing not are adults some but participate to try us of Some made. are decisions the when included and considered really not weare out, heard. voices still are us of number agood But us. affect that decisions networks. and councils youth parliaments, children’s and decisions government’s tribunals. and commissions in have participated us of Some communities. our in efforts reconciliation and peace the in part taking are us of Some voices. our air wehave to platform only the sometimes is media The other. each forgive to people community the encourage to and to opportunity the us gives media the communities, our of some In Some of us are helping to shape our our toshape helping are us of Some We love being involved so that what we have been through through wehave been what that so Sometimes even when we speak wespeak when even Sometimes talk about our experiences experiences our about talk through our groups groups our through time and energy energy and time not having our our having not in making the the making in All we want is is wewant All

OUR CONCERNS WHAT WE WANT

We want our rights to be respected

Wars are no excuse for violating our rights. We all have rights – the orphans, the disabled, children in prison, children living on the streets, children from remote villages, all of us, girls and boys – and we ask you to raise awareness of these rights and to promote them. We want to learn more about our rights so that we can demand them. We want our parents, teachers, and the people from communities, development organizations and government offices to be trained on children’s rights so that they can respect and protect them.

We want justice and to be safe from violence

We want strict laws to protect us from being used as soldiers, “bush wives” and slaves or otherwise exploited during wars. We also want strict laws against those who sexually abuse and violate us. Make sure that anyone who uses us in these ways is severely punished. Please make sure that not one of them goes free. We want safe, confidential and accessible ways for girls and boys to report violence, harassment and exploitation.

When there are wars, we want safe spaces and “conflict-free” zones where we can continue to learn and play

We want to learn

We want you to quickly rebuild the schools that have been destroyed and to build new ones where there are no schools. Train more teachers – especially women teachers – in our communities so that all of us can get the attention we need in class. We want special catch-up classes for those of us who have missed years of school because of the wars. We want free educational materials, libraries, laboratories and computers so we can all get a good-quality education that will prepare us for the challenges of today’s world. We want all schools to be free for all of us.

We want to be healthy

We want hospitals or health clinics to be rebuilt or established in all our communities. We want medicines and medical staff to be available at these hospitals and clinics. The services must be friendly to us and free of cost. All girls and boys must have equal access to a full range of health information and services. Please make sure that services include a complete reproductive health package and support to those of us who have survived rape and exploitation.

We want jobs and a means to survive

We want relevant training for those of us who are old enough to work so that we can find safe jobs for ourselves and be useful to our communities. For those of us who are younger, we want jobs for our parents so they can take care of us. We want technical and vocational training institutions in all our communities that will lead to real jobs. For those of us who have missed out on school, the vocational and livelihood training should also teach us how to read, write and do mathematics. We also need the right tools and machines to apply our skills.

20 We want more support and care for the excluded and forgotten

Those of us who are orphans, children living or working on the streets, children with disabilities, children in prison, children heading households, any marginalized children, cannot be forgotten any longer. We need to receive food even if we can’t go to the places where you distribute it. We need to have equal access to health services, free of all costs. We need to go to school for free at all levels and be trained in relevant skills. And because we are still children, we need special, accessible, recreational facilities. We want equal opportunity for girls and boys alike. We want to be treated equally and given the same chance to learn and develop our potential.

We just want to be children

We want programmes to heal our minds from the trauma of the experiences we have been through and to keep us away from violence, drugs and other crimes. These programmes and services must give all of us greater opportunities to play and participate in recreational pursuits like sports, cultural and other non-formal activities. We want these programmes to last long enough to give us an opportunity to rebuild our lives.

We want to participate

We want to reach out and help other children, in our communities, children from other parts of the conflict, or children in other countries. We want you to support our groups, organizations, networks and parliaments in our work and our efforts to contribute to change.

We want more opportunities to take part in making decisions that affect us. We ask that you empower us and our organizations – our youth councils, networks, groups and organizations, children’s parliaments and other youth- driven groups – to be able to participate in a way that counts in all decisions that affect us. We do not want to be called in when you have already made the decisions. We want to work hand in hand with you.

21 ANNEX I BACKGROUND NOTE

A background note on the Machel Study and a call What has your government done to respect, protect for action, along with a questionnaire and a guide for and fulfil the rights of war-affected children? facilitating focus groups, was prepared in April 2007 What have humanitarian agencies such as the UN (http://www.unicef.org/voy/takeaction/takeaction_ and NGOs done to respect, protect and fulfil the 3788.html). UNICEF and UNFPA country offices rights of war-affected children? and NGO partners (African Child Peace Initiative, How have diplomatic efforts, such as resolutions and Al-Mustaqbal Society, World Vision, Women’s treaties prepared by the UN and its Member States, Commission for Refugee Women and Children, helped children affected by armed conflict? Jaffna Social Action Centre, Horn Afrik, PYALARA, Canaan Valley Institute, Tamer Institute for Community Peace and reconciliation Education) were encouraged to conduct focus groups What do you think has been the most important factor in countries recently or currently experiencing armed towards advancing a peace process and building conflict (Afghanistan, Angola, Burundi, Cambodia, reconciliation in your community and/or country? , Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic What opportunities are there for young people to of the Congo, Eritrea/Ethiopia, Haiti, Iraq, Lebanon, participate and express their concerns? Liberia, Nepal, Northern Ireland, , Occupied Palestinian Territory, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Recommendations Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Timor-Leste, Are there any issues and/or groups of young people Uganda, and countries in the former Yugoslavia.) who are affected by conflict that have not been mentioned and should be addressed? An online survey was also made available and distributed What would you recommend to be done – and by through the UNICEF Voices of Youth network and other whom – so that all children affected by conflict have child and youth organizations and networks, including their rights respected, protected and fulfilled? Global Youth Action Network (GYAN), TakingITGlobal (TIG), Global Youth Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GYCA), ONLINE SURVEY the United Network of Young Peacebuilders (UNOY Peacebuilders), Child Rights Information Network Causes of war (CRIN), the Youth Peer Education Electronic Resource What do you believe are the causes of war? (Y-PEER), African Youth Alliance (AYA) and many more. Consequences of war The questionnaires developed for the focus groups What are the greatest challenges children and youth and online survey are listed below: face as a result of conflict? Are these challenges different for boys and girls? FOCUS GROUPS How about for different ages of children and youth?

Consequences of war Coping with war What are the greatest challenges you have faced as a How do you think diplomatic efforts, such as result of conflict? resolutions and treaties prepared by the UN and its Are these challenges different for boys and girls, and Member Governments, have helped children affected do they differ according to the ages of the children and by armed conflict? youth? Recommendations Coping with war What would you recommend to be done – and by What is the best action you or someone in your whom – so that all children affected by conflict have community has taken to help with the problems their rights respected, protected and fulfilled? children face because of conflict? What can children and young people do themselves?

22 ANNEX II FOCUS GROUP PARTICIPANTS

Country Focus Groups Participants Female Male Age Range Partners

Afghanistan 1 10 6 4 13 - 18 UNICEF Angola 1 10 5 5 14 - 19 UNFPA Burundi 7 48 23 25 14 - 21 UNFPA, UNICEF Central African Republic 1 8 6 2 8 - 14 UNFPA Haiti 3 32 4 28 15 - 19 UNICEF Iraq 1 8 8 0 13 - 20 UNICEF Liberia 25 131 61 70 10 - 31 African Child Peace Initiative (ACPI), UNFPA Nepal 7 70 N/A N/A 14 - 18 UNFPA Occupied 15 173 N/A N/A 8 - 24 UNICEF, UNFPA, Palestinian Al-Mustaqbal Society Territory Philippines 2 20 13 7 13 - 19 UNICEF Rwanda 2 84 44 40 12 - 29 UNICEF Serbia 2 13 N/A N/A 16 - 20 UNICEF Sierra Leone 5 50 N/A N/A 8 - 19 UNFPA Somalia 8 239 N/A N/A 10 - 17 UNICEF, World Vision Sri Lanka 25 246 N/A N/A 10 - 18 UNICEF Sudan 4 52 N/A N/A 7 - 25 UNICEF Uganda 16 191 101 90 10 - 30 Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children Total: 17 countries 125 1385

Note: Some numbers are estimates, while in some focus groups the number of participants was not reported. The numbers above represent a conservative estimate.

23 ANNEX III ONLINE SURVEY RESPONSES

Breakdown of regions

Region Number

Latin America and the Caribbean 93 Industrialized countries 82 West and Central Africa 66 South Asia 42 Eastern and Southern Africa 42 East Asia and the Pacific 31 Middle East and North Africa 21 Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States 5 Not specified 3 Total 385

Breakdown of age

Age Group Number

10 and under 6 10 - 14 25 15 - 19 121 20 - 24 111 25 and over 110 Not Specified 12 Total 385

Breakdown of gender

Gender Number

Female 221 Male 164 Total 385

24 LIST OF COUNTRIES RESPONDING TO THE ONLINE SURVEY

Algeria Greece Oman Angola Pakistan Argentina Haiti Panama Australia Peru Austria Iceland Philippines Bahrain India Poland Belize Indonesia Portugal Benin Iraq Russia Botswana Ireland Rwanda Brazil Italy Senegal Burundi Japan Serbia Cameroon Sierra Leone Kenya Singapore Central African Republic Korea Somalia Chile Liberia South Africa China Macau Spain Colombia Malawi Sri Lanka Congo Malaysia Sudan Costa Rica Maldives Syrian Arab Republic Cote d’Ivoire () Mauritania Tanzania Cuba The Gambia Cyprus Moldova Turkey Dominican Republic Morocco Uganda Ecuador Mozambique United Arab Emirates Nepal United Kingdom Ethiopia Fiji Nicaragua Venezuela France Niger Ye m e n French Polynesia Nigeria Zimbabwe Gabon Norway Ghana Occupied Palestinian Territory

25 MACHEL STUDY 10-YEAR STRATEGIC REVIEW CHILDREN AND CONFLICT IN A CHANGING WORLD

Co-convenors of the Machel Study Partners to the Youth Report

Global Youth Action Network