Return to Childhood : an analysis of the reintegration of child soldiers

Abstract

Beginning with a child-rights framework guided by recommendations in the Machel report and programmatic 'best-practices' in rehabilitation "Return to Childhood" analyses the reintegration of child soldiers in three case studies, Mozambique, Uganda and Sierra Leone. Case studies were chosen for reasons including documentation availability, regional and colonial diversity within sub-Saharan Africa and difference in conflict status. The research was based on qualitative comparative analysis of policies and programming for child soldiers. Case-study governments are parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international legislation. With varying degrees of recognition for their obligation as duty-bearers, these governments created or allowed an environment that supported programming for demobilized child soldiers. The findings of this research indicate that programming which included psycho-social rehabilitation, family reunification, education and skills training resulted in varying degrees of reintegration hampered by continued instability and lack of systemic support by governments.