The lasting scars of war: How conflict shapes children’s lives long after the fighting ends

The Impact of Armed Conflict on Children: A Report on the Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The world is currently experiencing a significant increase in armed conflicts across various regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. With more than 110 armed conflicts occurring globally, the consequences for children are vast and multifaceted. The trauma inflicted on children during these conflicts will have long-lasting effects on their lives and the societies in which they live.

Children as Collateral and Targets

In the first decade of the 21st century, civilians accounted for 90% of deaths in armed conflicts, with a significant number of casualties being children. Modern conflicts often involve a significant power imbalance, with one combatant possessing advanced weaponry such as fighter jets, tanks, and explosives. As a result, entire cities become war zones where children are not only caught in the crossfire but are deliberately targeted. The United Nations has reported a record number of grave violations against children in conflict zones, with the highest numbers occurring in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan.

The Humanitarian Crisis

Children in conflict zones face not only direct violence but also the toxic stress of war. The disruption of supply chains and agricultural production leads to acute and chronic malnutrition, affecting children’s growth, immune systems, metabolic systems, and cognitive development. The destruction of essential infrastructure, such as schools, hospitals, and homes, compounds the trauma experienced by children. Additionally, attacks on humanitarian assistance further exacerbate the crisis.

The disruption of vaccination programs allows preventable diseases to spread, with polio resurging in Gaza and cholera outbreaks occurring due to the targeting of sanitation and water treatment facilities. The situation is particularly dire for infant and maternal health, with pregnancy in war zones associated with fewer live births, increased preterm delivery, and low birth weight. War-generated pollution has also been linked to birth defects. The impact of war extends beyond the immediate conflict zone, as studies have shown increased incidents of pregnancy complications and birth defects in the children of war veterans.

The Psychological Toll of War

Constant exposure to violence, death, and destruction can permanently alter a child’s brain development. Trauma experienced in early childhood can lead to anxiety, depression, and stress disorders. These mental health issues can manifest in more profound ways as children grow into adulthood, increasing the likelihood of depression and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Extreme stress also affects parenting, putting children at risk of maltreatment and neglect. Even after the fighting stops, parental substance abuse and deteriorating mental health can leave children vulnerable.

Impact on Education

Armed conflicts devastate the critical infrastructure needed to support healthy child development. Children often spend months fleeing war zones or seeking shelter, disrupting their education. Schools are destroyed or repurposed, and teachers are displaced or killed. This leaves millions of children without basic education, significantly reducing their future opportunities. Girls are particularly affected, as they are more likely to be kept out of school to fill in for absent or deceased adults. Separation from family also puts children at increased risk of gender violence, exploitation, and teen pregnancy.

Breaking the Cycle of Violence

While the challenges are enormous, there are pathways to reduce the harm inflicted on children. Humanitarian organizations work to provide safe spaces for children to play, learn, and heal. Supporting caregivers is also crucial, as the mental health of parents and guardians directly affects their children’s well-being. However, these efforts are only temporary solutions. The international community must increase funding for child protection and education in humanitarian responses and take serious action to eliminate the root causes of war.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
   • Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels

   The article highlights the impact of armed conflicts on children, including their exposure to violence, deliberate targeting, and violations of their rights. It emphasizes the need for peace, justice, and strong institutions to protect children from harm.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
   • Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information, and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs

   The article discusses the negative health impacts of armed conflicts on children, such as malnutrition, preventable diseases, and birth complications. It emphasizes the need for good health and well-being for children affected by war.

3. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
   • Target 4.3: By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational, and tertiary education, including university
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability, and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all

   The article highlights the devastating impact of armed conflicts on education, including the destruction of schools, displacement of teachers, and the denial of access to education for millions of children. It emphasizes the importance of quality education for children affected by war.

Source: theconversation.com