In an exclusive interview with UN News, Vanessa Frazier highlighted the alarming rise in grave violations against children in conflict zones and the urgent need to protect their futures. She revealed that in 2024 alone, over 7,400 children were recruited or used by armed forces and groups, with these figures representing only verified cases. Over the past 30 years, more than 220,000 children have been separated from armed groups through international efforts, underscoring both the scale of the problem and the progress made.
Her office monitors around 26 conflict situations globally, noting that the highest prevalence of violations occurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, and Myanmar. Worrying trends are also emerging in Sudan, where children are specifically targeted for roles such as border guards, laborers, or fighters. Ms. Frazier emphasized that behind every statistic is a child whose life and innocence have been profoundly disrupted by conflict.
Beyond documenting violations, her mandate includes direct engagement with armed groups to negotiate the safe release of children. Once separated, agencies such as UNICEF work on reintegration, providing psychosocial support, education, and the opportunity to reclaim childhood. Reintegration, however, often faces challenges, particularly for girls who may be stigmatized or shunned by their communities if they return with children.
Prevention remains a central focus of Ms. Frazier’s work. She advocates keeping children in school during conflict as a critical measure to reduce vulnerability to recruitment. Accountability for violations is equally important, with prosecutions in national courts and the International Criminal Court serving as deterrents. Such measures reinforce that recruiting children carries real consequences, aiming to prevent future abuses.
Ms. Frazier reflected on the human stories behind the data, recounting encounters with children affected by Boko Haram in Nigeria and survivors of the Lord’s Resistance Army in Uganda. She stressed that children, as the epitome of innocence, should never be treated as collateral in war and that the sustainability of peace depends on their protection, education, and reintegration. Access to schooling and the ability to pursue future careers are essential for enabling former child soldiers to lead normal, productive lives.
Through her campaign Prove It Matters, children affected by conflict send messages of hope to leaders, symbolized by origami doves. These messages reflect a desire for peace, safety, and restored childhoods. Ms. Frazier concluded that protecting children, ensuring education, and promoting justice are fundamental pillars for building a sustainable and peaceful future for the world.
