In a perfect world, written speeches would be unnecessary. I wouldn't be standing here right now, raising awareness for those 300,000 child soldiers wielding AK-47s and M-16s on the front lines of combat. In a perfect world, there is future for these children, who often tell their stories with such compelling grief, anger and pain.
In a perfect world, instead of burdens, sorrow and despair, life brings full and bright promises. But is there really such thing as a perfect world? If all people raise awareness to defend these children, maybe one day things would change and we could all finally envision a perfect future.
“They forced me to learn how to fight the enemy, in a war that I didn't understand why was being fought.” - Emilio, age 14.
“I still dream about the boy from my village who I killed. I see him in my dreams and he is talking to me and saying I killed him for nothing, and I am crying.” - Susan, age 16.
These are only some of the voices of child soldiers who are being used in over thirty countries around the world today. Do these children, like Emilio and Susan really deserve this? In some countries, governments and leaders believe that it is only right for these children to participate in armed forces and groups. In Sierra Leonne, thousands of children are abducted by rebel forces to participate in horrible atrocities, such as rape, amputations, and beheading.
In Colombia, children as young as eight have been used as soldiers to protect their country from bloody conflicts. In Southern Lebanon, children are forced into conscription by the South Lebanon Army. They simply do not have a choice. These children live in fear, as they are left physically vulnerable, easily intimidated, and psychologically damaged.
Child soldiers do not only suffer the killings, the beatings, and the torture, but they also struggle to overcome psychological consequences of their experiences. These children participate in armed forces, in suicide missions and in warfare. They are forced to commit atrocities against their families, their neighbors and their country.
Rehabilitation is a difficult process for most of them who have been brutalized and performed a number of killings. In addition, girls are often raped and treated like dogs. Although these children will live for many years, in many cases, these damages can never be overcome.
Children are recruited as child soldiers by armed forces either forcibly or voluntarily. Children are forced into conscription because they are perceived to be cheap, and easily manipulated. Children can be easily drawn into violence because they are too young to resist and too young to understand. Fear is also one of the reasons why children partake in such killings and violence. Fear of the economic and social pressure. Fear of their leaders. Fear of torture and abuse. These children are vulnerable. They are in need of safety, in need of guidance and in need of security.
Today, only few peace treaties stand to justify these children. Despite the progress made over the last decade, people must still raise an eyebrow and take action, before these children lose their hopes, their dreams and their future. Maybe it is to say that a perfect world is a dream far from reality. Maybe there is no such thing as a perfect world after all. There is, however, such thing as a better world.
