There is a widespread issue of child soldiers in Burundi. It is not uncommon for armed militias in conflict zones to recruit children without proper training and send them to the front lines, often using them as mere cannon fodder.
Burundi, a small nation bordered by Rwanda to the north and Tanzania to the east, still bears the scars of a 12-year civil war that began in 1993 and ended in 2005. Even almost 20 years later, it is still one of the poorest nations on the planet, with thousands of children becoming soldiers during the conflict.
Child soldiers in Burundi were recruited by armed groups for various roles, not just as frontline fighters. They had no say in the matter, as the groups forced them to perform tasks ranging from cooking to guarding. Additionally, girls were often coerced into sexual acts and arranged marriages with older men.
Civil War
The Burundian Civil War took the lives of more than 300,000 people and left more than one million more displaced. The conflict was a result of the long-term tensions and unrest between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi ethnic populations. Burundi’s first Hutu President got elected in 1993 and was later assassinated by the Tutsi army. This act of murder of a Hutu-born president caused the nation to plunge into a state of mass genocide.
Many families had their children forcibly taken; some children got kidnapped at school while those in refugee camps volunteered to join the militias, hoping to find a better life.
The growing poverty rates pushed some children into the military as they sought the financial means to send money back home to their loved ones. Many of these children later discovered that there would be no wages for them, with only 6% of child soldiers in Burundi receiving any form of payment for their service(s). Following their subjection to inhumane abuse and acts of atrocities, many of them live on to experience the pain for several years.
Due to the corrupt and secretive nature of recruiting children as soldiers, official figures are difficult to determine. There are no accurate estimates of how many child soldiers in Burundi lost their lives in action.
Demobilization and Reintegration
While it remains a fact that society’s most vulnerable citizens play roles in a war they do not understand, a number of poverty-reduction and reintegration programs are working toward bringing about positive change. These programs focus on demobilizing former child soldiers in Burundi and providing them with the support and rehabilitation necessary to get back into society.
In 2000, most active groups in the conflict signed the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in a partnership that set the foundations for ending the civil war. Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa oversaw the agreement.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) created a framework in 2001 to develop a demobilization action plan, which the Burundi Government signed. The goal of the plan was to reintegrate a total of 5,500 child soldiers back into their communities through financial aid, mental health support and medical support.
Amnesty International emphasized that plans and programs must prioritize providing support to sexual violence survivors, with additional assistance to pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Throughout the war, Amnesty International documented acts of human rights violation to inform the global community. These reports exerted pressure on both the Burundi Government and armed militias to prioritize the well-being of civilians during future negotiations.
UNICEF’s project failed to include most child soldiers once they turned 18, underscoring the importance of efforts from other charities in preventing re-recruitment. World Vision (WV) prioritizes preventing recruitment through educational programs that aim to empower and protect young people. Providing financial support to families is also crucial in reducing the temptation of bribery from militant groups. WV continues to support reintegration by collaborating with small local organizations.
War Child’s Efforts
War Child collaborates with former child soldiers to establish “safe spaces” where they can meet and attend classes to further their education. Those aged 18 or older are offered employment opportunities and mentoring to supplement their vocational training.
Since its establishment in Burundi in 2011, War Child has witnessed the likelihood of further violence, as seen in 2016. The organization utilizes its platform to focus on prevention, leading the Economic Empowerment of Youth Toward Peacebuilding and Crisis Prevention project. The project examines why children feel compelled to join militias while identifying community actions that can provide protection.
Hope for Better Days
While child exploitation persists in Burundi, ongoing efforts from both local and international organizations to create a safer, more enabling environment for children in the country have resulted in some progress. The hope is for every child in Burundi to have the assurance of fundamental human rights and remain protected from the terror that comes in times of conflict.
– Yasmin Hailes
Photo: Flickr
Young People and Mental Health in Brunei
7,000 Mental Health Cases
Statistics have shown that depression, anxiety and stress are common mental health issues. The psychiatry services in Brunei face an increase in young patients who report high levels of stress and fatigue, with an estimated 7,000 cases. Young people in Brunei, most of them in their early 20s, are the most vulnerable to mental health problems. Children and adolescents are also among those struggling with mental health issues. Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital Psychiatry Services head Dr. Hilda Ho stated that “We are getting an increasing number of referrals. The trend is we are seeing more and more young people.” But, according to the Ministry of Health of Brunei, this figure may not be accurate as it does not accurately reflect the extent of the situation among Brunei’s youth population.
Young People are Hindered by Stigma
At the Brunei Darussalam Youth Open Space in October 2020, a discussion by its participants on navigating the mental health problem concluded that Brunei’s young people face the challenge of stigma. It is most particularly within family circles where mental health problems are seen as shameful. At the meeting, none of the participants identified their parental figures as a source of help for mental health issues.
Brunei Launches Its Mental Health Action Plan
The Brunei Darussalam Mental Health Action Plan 2022-2025 aims to address mental health through a comprehensive strategy that involves promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Taking account of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brunei’s action plan also aims to address the challenges that the health workforce faces. With the action plan signed by Brunei’s Ministry of Health and five non-governmental organizations, the opportunity to increase public knowledge and awareness could be a step forward to improving mental health in Brunei.
Tackling Stigma
There are ongoing efforts to tackle the taboo around mental health in Brunei. The opening up of safe spaces facilitates open discussions about mental health. Services that provide counseling support, therapy and psychiatric consultations are becoming easily accessible. Community-based organizations such as Mind Your Mind and Cope for Hope promote mental health and well-being through their public service campaigns.
In addition, Brunei’s recent launch of the hotline service Talian Harapan 145 provides a safe and confidential space for those who are struggling with mental health. Trained mental health professionals from the Ministry of Health are responsible for operating the hotline.
Mental Health Programs
The program “Mental Health in Children” focuses on raising mental health awareness among parents and guardians. Run by the Mawar Association, the program helps to maintain children’s well-being. This initiative places a particular emphasis on the importance of parental figures in understanding and addressing mental health issues. Collaborating with the Ministry of Health, the first 2021 online session garnered 100 participants. The second 2022 session had 47 participants in attendance. The third session is scheduled to take place in October 2023.
Another recent event is the “Mental Health Awareness in Religious Perspective”, a mental health program for Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College students. With 200 students in attendance, the program educates students and school faculty members on the importance of mental health. By utilizing a holistic approach, the program also actively works to combat stigma and encourage the discussion of mental health.
Looking Ahead
With mental health in Brunei undergoing a period of development, the country continues to expand its mental health services. The Ministry of Health recognizes the importance of public education, alongside the promotion of services that cater to mental health and well-being, in addressing the stigma around the matter. The country’s consistent efforts to improve mental health could result in positive impacts on the mental health of Brunei’s young people.
– Grace Clay
Photo: Flickr
Human Trafficking in St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Human trafficking in St Vincent and the Grenadines involves forced labor in farming and cannabis production, sexual exploitation of women, arms trafficking and child trafficking by caregivers. Victims usually comprise Vincentians and foreigners from other Caribbean islands, South America and Asia. The Global Organized Crime Index also recognizes that people who work for foreign/international companies that have set up shop in St Vincent may be vulnerable to exploitation.
Although the country has not totally resolved the human trafficking problem, it has made progress in punishing criminals and protecting women and children. The government has taken several steps to combat human trafficking, including the following:
The Punishment
The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines has taken measures to combat trafficking by implementing training programs for law enforcement. The programs aim to give out stricter punishments to traffickers in order to make the consequences proportionate to the seriousness of the crime. This training also covers tips on identifying victims and providing resources for them.
The national police force has an Anti-Trafficking In Persons Unit (ATIPU), and it has been active since 2012. This unit monitors high-risk areas such as bars, airports, restaurants and seaports to swiftly detect signs of trafficking or smuggling of people from overseas.
For border control, the police force has a Special Services Unit that watches people entering and exiting the country. In addition, St Vincent has collaborated with international organizations such as the Regional Security System to control immigration and prevent smuggling within its borders and around neighboring countries. These actions highlight the nation’s willingness to accept external help in its fight against trafficking.
Raising Public Awareness
In St Vincent and the Grenadines, the fight against trafficking extends beyond the police force to include nurses, teachers, students and members of the wider society who have received training from ATIPU’s summer camps. So far, the unit has trained 426 students and 400 nurses and teachers to identify trafficking and prevent it. The government has also launched printed and digital advertisements as well as radio campaigns to raise awareness of trafficking among the citizens and help them recognize the signs of it. To encourage reporting, the government set up a hotline for individuals to report any suspicions of trafficking, enabling everyone to play a role in combating the problem.
Looking Ahead
The government of St Vincent and the Grenadines continues to combat trafficking by not only enacting laws to prosecute traffickers but also helping and supporting victims, as well as training law enforcement and educating the public to be more alert for signs of trafficking. These efforts show promise in eradicating trafficking and creating a future where it is no longer a concern for the inhabitants of the country.
Photo: Wikimedia
Tackling Malnutrition in Guatemala With Digital Tools
Barriers to Food Security
A 2023 report identified numerous barriers to improving nutrition among women and girls. These include:
Globally, COVID-19 heightened such barriers. However, in Guatemala, the pandemic’s outbreak also revitalized political interest in reducing malnutrition, leading to a new wave of policymaking focused on using digital tools to improve the nutrition of women and children and strengthen the physical, social and economic health of communities at large. Ranking seventh in the world for chronic malnutrition, the country exemplifies how progress can begin with better policymaking and unlocking the full potential of digital technology.
DIGITARO Project
A World Bank pilot initiative, Guatemala’s DIGITARO project offers an innovative solution to acute malnutrition. DIGITARO harnesses digital tools to advance women’s participation in agriculture and incorporate female farmers into Guatemala’s national School Feeding Program (SFP). The project seeks to resolve the lack of female agency within agriculture and the home while reducing the country’s malnutrition rates.
DIGITARO points to research revealing that women’s lacking economic agency and decision-making power in Guatemalan households directly impacts the produce bought for their homes. This has led to higher rates of malnutrition, especially among children. Recognizing this intersection between female agency and malnutrition is vital for improving food security across the country.
DIGITARO seeks to increase both female smallholder farmers’ market access and children’s and families’ access to healthy, responsibly produced food. Through digital tools, it improves women’s understanding of the SFP, connects female farmers to schools and supports them in supplying the SFP sustainably. The three main digital tools it engages are:
Impacts on Female Empowerment
Pilot data indicate that DIGITARO raised women’s awareness that the SFP purchases food from local farmers by more than 60% and increased their understanding of how to register as an SFP provider almost twofold. The initiative also improved women’s selling decisions and business productivity. It sparked a 20% increase in female farmers’ overall sales of commonly-demanded SFP animal products.
Impacts on Malnutrition
Furthermore, DIGITARO has improved the effectiveness and reliability of the SFP for thousands of Guatemalan children. By identifying and remedying the issues undermining the program, the project provided them access to a more reliable supply of nutritious, high-quality foods and produce.
The e-commerce platform has now connected nearly 25,000 schools across the country with some 45,000 sellers. However, more must be done to encourage schools and female farmers to connect through such initiatives. Nonetheless, DIGITARO’s promising results demonstrate that, in combination with strategic policymaking, digital technology can help tackle the growing issue of malnutrition among women and children everywhere and pave the way for a brighter global future.
– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr
Poverty and Hunger in Ghana and Africa
Malnutrition in Ghana
Many countries that experience high levels of hunger also experience malnutrition. Malnutrition occurs when the body is missing the required nutrients or when it has more than it needs. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that malnutrition accounts for nearly half of all deaths among children under 5 years old. This is true in the case of Ghana where, in 2019, an estimated one in every ten children under 5 years old were underweight, with many not having access to diverse food groups that contain vital nutrients for physical development.
The Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict
While Ghana is already a historically impoverished nation, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has had a very negative economic impact on the country and the entire continent of Africa. One way in which the war has negatively impacted the continent is the rising price of food. These food prices are the result of African communities being dependent on imported goods from Russia and Ukraine, specifically wheat and sunflower products. In many regions of West Africa from 2019 to 2022, the percentage of people struggling with food insecurity rose from 10.7 million to 40.7 million.
The issue of an increasing number of individuals experiencing crisis is only expected to get worse as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues. This is due to agricultural activities being on hold, thereby stopping the exportation of goods that Ghana depends on. Beyond the Russia-Ukraine conflict impacting hunger in Ghana, there is also the issue of climate change that impacts the rain-fed crops which the country relies on.
Ongoing Efforts
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) uses food assistance to save lives during emergencies. Since its establishment in 1961, the organization has helped millions of people across different countries to achieve greater levels of food security. In Ghana, WFP focuses on preventing a specific form of malnutrition known as stunting. Stunting occurs when growth is hindered due to poor nutrition. To address this issue, WFP in Ghana provides aid to pregnant women and children aged 6 months to 2 years, recognizing the first 1,000 days of life as the most critical period for establishing proper nutrition and laying a foundation for healthy growth.
The organization offers assistance to those in need by providing vouchers to mothers, enabling them to purchase nutritious food that might otherwise be inaccessible. Moreover, they collaborate with private organizations and government agencies to establish food supply chains and connect small farmers with larger processing firms. In addition, they have implemented a nationwide school feeding program that connects children with nutritious food at school, linking it directly to local agriculture.
Looking Ahead
The WFP, through its efforts, is working to combat malnutrition and promote food security in Ghana. While food insecurity is still a problem in the country, every step toward progress in the fight against it represents hope for Ghanaians.
– Kellyjohana Ahumada
Photo: Flickr
Eliminating Malaria in Azerbaijan
How Was Malaria Eradicated in Azerbaijan?
The government and local authorities implemented a range of policies and innovative solutions to work toward eliminating malaria in Azerbaijan. Three strains of the disease were prevalent in the country in the 20th century, however after a significant interruption to the spread of two of these strains, Plasmodium Vivax remained the only prominent strain of malaria in the country.
Since then, the country has made significant progress toward controlling and measuring this strain of malaria. Some of these policies and methods included:
Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System (EIDSS)
The Ministry of Health adopted the Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System in 2010. The system provides accurate and real-time reporting of infections within the country. The data collected can be measured, analyzed and shared between different agencies for the most effective targeting and control of diseases, including malaria. The platform is an open-source system that allows medical clinics and centers for hygiene and epidemiology to input live data and react accordingly.
The use of this electronic data system vastly improved the recording and notification of the prevalence of malaria in the country. Traditional paper methods in 2010 had a timeliness notification rate for dangerous diseases of 37% until this increased to 98% once the government established EIDSS. The accuracy and completeness of data were also improved after the development of EIDSS.
The Impact of Malaria Reduction on Poverty
Eliminating malaria in Azerbaijan creates a ripple effect across all areas of society, improving individual lives dynamically.
Initially, reducing malaria transmission greatly improves the health of citizens and health outcomes for the region as a whole, such as increasing life expectancy. On the other hand, research indicates that reducing malaria has impacts beyond health.
Reducing malaria mortality creates better opportunities for people. With better health and less disease transmission, individuals will see less expenditure on anti-malaria drugs, treatment, funeral expenses and other associated costs. Dealing with malaria is expensive and costs the continent of Africa $12 billion in GDP per year, significantly slowing down economic growth. With a larger workforce unaffected by malaria, a country’s overall productivity and GDP can grow. For children especially, better health can improve school attendance and education, providing them with better career opportunities in the future that may have been hindered if they were exposed to the disease.
On the other hand, research also considers the monetary factors associated with effective malaria eradication and current aid levels are not deemed to be sufficient to eliminate malaria and reverse the disease-poverty trap. The disease-poverty trap is the concept that without sufficient investment, poorer communities lack the resources to be able to overcome dangerous diseases and get locked in a cycle of sickness and poverty.
The Economy and Malaria
While eliminating malaria in Azerbaijan reinforces that it is possible to wipe out the disease, there is also a notable intersection between malaria eradication and economic prosperity.
Many have concluded that without the economic advantages that were available to the Azerbaijan government, it is uncertain whether the country would have eradicated the disease so soon. The country’s Parliamentary Health Committee commits almost $700,000 annually to be put toward malaria prevention activities. These investments included the Electronic Integrated Disease Surveillance System and vast improvements in medical centers, antiviral drugs and laboratories.
Without sufficient aid and investment, it may be harder for less developed countries that suffer from malaria outbreaks to adequately fight the disease. An interview between Dr. Keith Carter and the WHO concluded that economic prosperity aided in preventing malaria transmission in Azerbaijan.
With adequate monetary investment and aid intervention, it is possible to eliminate malaria and subsequently pull thousands of people out of the disease-poverty trap. By providing the correct resources and investing in effective malaria prevention methods, malaria can be eradicated across the globe, as demonstrated in the case of eliminating malaria in Azerbaijan.
– Ariana Mortazavi
Photo: Flickr
Start Up Tackles Maternal Mortality in Uganda
The Issue: Maternal Mortality in Uganda
Approximately 16 women die during childbirth every day in Uganda. According to UNICEF, this equates to an estimated 368 deaths per 100,000 live births. On average, seven of these 16 women die due to “scannable risk factors of maternal mortality”.
Mortality due to conditions such as deficiency in amniotic fluid or umbilical cord problems can be prevented through early detection with ultrasound, throughout the course of the pregnancy. However, traditional ultrasound machines are a rarity in rural Uganda and other low-resource settings across Africa.
In 2017, Prosper Ahimbisibwe, Menyo Innocent, Phyllis Kyomuhendo and Ivan Nasasira identified a possible solution and began developing the M-SCAN device.
A Solution: The M-SCAN Ultrasound Device
The M-SCAN ultrasound device is a portable, lightweight and energy-efficient ultrasound scanner. The device is not dissimilar from a traditional ultrasound probe. The cable, however, facilitates connection to a laptop, tablet or smartphone, compared to the bulky ultrasound machines traditionally used. The device is therefore affordable and is being targeted at low- and middle-income countries. The portative qualities of the device mean it has real-time easy application across a range of specialties and locations. It is accessible in urgent situations, as well as easily shared between multiple patients at any one time.
It stores ultrasound images directly to the device it is connected to (laptop, tablet, mobile). Images are easily visualized and can continue to be visualized and even shared after the M-SCAN ultrasound is finished. The device can work for an entire day when connected to a fully charged laptop, and the laptop will not need to be charged during this time either.
The Impact: The Use of M-SCAN Across Uganda
M-SCAN ultrasound devices are currently being used in five medical clinics in Uganda, reaching more than 300 pregnant women. The portability of the device means that M-SCAN sonographers can even scan mothers in their own homes or community clinics. This saves mothers from journeys that may be costly, time-consuming, or otherwise challenging, particularly while pregnant.
The Future: Using M-SCAN Across Africa
Moving forward, M-SCAN plans to train frontline health care workers in the skills necessary for basic obstetric ultrasound. This is in an effort to establish the M-SCAN ultrasound device as an effective tool for obstetric care across all of rural East Arica.
The M-SCAN device provides an effective solution to the lack of access to ultrasound scans in rural Uganda. With time, the success of the device in reducing maternal mortality in Uganda may be replicated across many low-resource settings in Africa.
– Jess Steward
Photo: Flickr
Diseases Impacting South Africa
Diseases Impacting South Africa
Through the commitment of the government and organizations, the prevalence of diseases impacting South Africa can reduce and the well-being of South Africans can improve.
– Anna Konovalenko
Photo: Flickr
How Fair Trade Fashion Reduces Poverty
Fast Fashion and Poverty Perpetuation
From 2000 and 2010, global clothing consumption doubled from 100 billion to 200 billion pieces per year, leading many fashion outlets to shift their focus from producing high-quality, long-lasting items to cheaply made, disposable ones that can be sold at lower costs, thereby boosting competitiveness and profits. However, this overconsumption of goods such as fast fashion clothing has led to worker exploitation, as brands must produce items at faster rates.
Fast fashion companies have increasingly relied on unethical modes of production, such as sweatshops that subject workers to poor conditions and unfair wages, since the rise of cheaper fashion at the end of the 20th century. Even in the poorest countries of the world, where child protection laws and regulations are lacking, fast fashion brands continue to rely on child labor to maximize profits, depriving children of the opportunity to gain the education that can help them escape poverty in the future.
Reducing Poverty
Over the past decade, a growing body of research has demonstrated the perils of the fast fashion industry, sparking increased discussion around fair trade fashion. Brands that prioritize fair trade practices typically provide greater transparency regarding their supply chains than their fast fashion counterparts, thereby assuring consumers of no participation in worker exploitation of people who live in poverty. While fair trade fashion items may carry a higher price tag, they generally boast higher quality and a longer lifespan. More significantly, they guarantee better working conditions for those involved in the supply chain, as the money spent flows down to the bottom. The Fair Trade movement promotes equitable wages and opportunities in impoverished countries like Tanzania, India and Sri Lanka, helping to uplift people and alleviate poverty.
Fair Trade Fashion in Action
People Tree, a U.K.-based company with a Fair Trade certificate, is an excellent example of an ethical company that empowers Bangladeshi workers to rise above poverty. Founded in 1991, the company aims to ensure its products meet the highest possible ethical standards throughout the supply chain. They also strive to serve as a model of a Fair Trade business with moral values that prioritize both people and the environment, setting an example for the fashion industry and governments alike.
Power in the Hands of Consumers
Choosing to purchase fair trade fashion from companies like People Tree enables consumers to impact lives positively and prevent support for the cycle of extreme poverty in less developed countries. More people opting for fair trade fashion could discourage businesses from exploiting workers and producing cheap garments on a mass scale while facilitating the advancement of fair trade fashion.
– Hannah Naylor
Photo: Flickr
Using UV Light Treatment for Neonatal Jaundice in Low-Resource Settings
What Is Neonatal Jaundice and How Is It Treated?
A build-up of a substance called bilirubin in the blood causes jaundice. The liver is responsible for removing bilirubin from the body. However, newborn babies’ livers are not yet fully developed. Unfortunately, high levels of bilirubin in the blood can be toxic to the brain, thereby necessitating treatment. Every year, approximately 6 million babies do not receive jaundice treatment.
One of the main forms of neonatal jaundice treatment is phototherapy. In this procedure, babies undergo UV light exposure. They are placed into a crib-like piece of equipment that shines UV light onto the skin for around 48 hours. This results in the conversion of toxic bilirubin into a safer form that is not harmful to the brain and can be easily excreted in the urine.
What Is the Global Context of Neonatal Jaundice?
A study from 2010 by the Child Health Epidemiology Reference Group reported that neonatal jaundice was responsible for a mortality rate of 119 per 100,000 live births in Eastern Europe/Central Asia, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. In comparison, the mortality rate in high-income countries is around one per 100,000. The study also found the complication of brain toxicity to be prevalent in 73 per 100,000 live births in the aforementioned regions. In high-come countries, the prevalence rate is 10 per 100,000.
Standard commercial phototherapy machines cost around $3,000 and require a constant supply of electricity. As things stand, heavy power usage is a major concern for hospitals in low-income and middle-income countries. Not only is the demand for power costly, but there is also no guarantee of access due to unreliable power supply in these settings. For this reason, the use of traditional phototherapy machines is challenging in low-resource settings.
The Bili-Hut
Dr. Donna Brezinski developed an innovative solution known as the Bili-Hut. It is a portable, battery-operated device that only costs $400 per unit. The design utilizes LED lights that can run on a 12-volt car battery for up to a month. Additionally, it has a lower upfront cost and can run independently, with no need for connecting to a hospital’s power supply source.
The Bili-Hut forms part of a kit, which also includes a “Bili-ruler” and a “Bilistick”. The former measures the degree of jaundice while the latter measures jaundice concentration in a newborn’s blood.
Crib’A’Glow
Virtue Oboro identified the need for more effective phototherapy treatment in Nigeria when her son experienced a delay in receiving treatment due to a lack of phototherapy units. She developed the Crib’A’Glow, a phototherapy unit that runs on renewable energy using a solar panel, a battery and a charge controller. The solar panel powers LED lights in the crib to provide a fully functioning phototherapy unit. It can function in low-resource settings and only costs around $300-$550.
Using solar power is an innovative solution. Apart from minimizing the running cost of the unit, it also ensures the unreliable power supply in Nigeria has no impact on the service process.
Virtue’s solution has helped to treat more than 1250 babies across Nigeria since 2016. Additionally, the Champions of Science Africa Innovation Challenge 2.0 provided additional funding for the project in 2019, with the hopes of reaching 1 million babies.
With the help of innovators like Virtue and Dr. Brezinski, there is hope for overcoming the challenges of delivering phototherapy in low-resource settings.
– Jess Steward
Photo: Flickr
Child Soldiers in Burundi
Burundi, a small nation bordered by Rwanda to the north and Tanzania to the east, still bears the scars of a 12-year civil war that began in 1993 and ended in 2005. Even almost 20 years later, it is still one of the poorest nations on the planet, with thousands of children becoming soldiers during the conflict.
Child soldiers in Burundi were recruited by armed groups for various roles, not just as frontline fighters. They had no say in the matter, as the groups forced them to perform tasks ranging from cooking to guarding. Additionally, girls were often coerced into sexual acts and arranged marriages with older men.
Civil War
The Burundian Civil War took the lives of more than 300,000 people and left more than one million more displaced. The conflict was a result of the long-term tensions and unrest between the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi ethnic populations. Burundi’s first Hutu President got elected in 1993 and was later assassinated by the Tutsi army. This act of murder of a Hutu-born president caused the nation to plunge into a state of mass genocide.
Many families had their children forcibly taken; some children got kidnapped at school while those in refugee camps volunteered to join the militias, hoping to find a better life.
The growing poverty rates pushed some children into the military as they sought the financial means to send money back home to their loved ones. Many of these children later discovered that there would be no wages for them, with only 6% of child soldiers in Burundi receiving any form of payment for their service(s). Following their subjection to inhumane abuse and acts of atrocities, many of them live on to experience the pain for several years.
Due to the corrupt and secretive nature of recruiting children as soldiers, official figures are difficult to determine. There are no accurate estimates of how many child soldiers in Burundi lost their lives in action.
Demobilization and Reintegration
While it remains a fact that society’s most vulnerable citizens play roles in a war they do not understand, a number of poverty-reduction and reintegration programs are working toward bringing about positive change. These programs focus on demobilizing former child soldiers in Burundi and providing them with the support and rehabilitation necessary to get back into society.
In 2000, most active groups in the conflict signed the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement in a partnership that set the foundations for ending the civil war. Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa oversaw the agreement.
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) created a framework in 2001 to develop a demobilization action plan, which the Burundi Government signed. The goal of the plan was to reintegrate a total of 5,500 child soldiers back into their communities through financial aid, mental health support and medical support.
Amnesty International emphasized that plans and programs must prioritize providing support to sexual violence survivors, with additional assistance to pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Throughout the war, Amnesty International documented acts of human rights violation to inform the global community. These reports exerted pressure on both the Burundi Government and armed militias to prioritize the well-being of civilians during future negotiations.
UNICEF’s project failed to include most child soldiers once they turned 18, underscoring the importance of efforts from other charities in preventing re-recruitment. World Vision (WV) prioritizes preventing recruitment through educational programs that aim to empower and protect young people. Providing financial support to families is also crucial in reducing the temptation of bribery from militant groups. WV continues to support reintegration by collaborating with small local organizations.
War Child’s Efforts
War Child collaborates with former child soldiers to establish “safe spaces” where they can meet and attend classes to further their education. Those aged 18 or older are offered employment opportunities and mentoring to supplement their vocational training.
Since its establishment in Burundi in 2011, War Child has witnessed the likelihood of further violence, as seen in 2016. The organization utilizes its platform to focus on prevention, leading the Economic Empowerment of Youth Toward Peacebuilding and Crisis Prevention project. The project examines why children feel compelled to join militias while identifying community actions that can provide protection.
Hope for Better Days
While child exploitation persists in Burundi, ongoing efforts from both local and international organizations to create a safer, more enabling environment for children in the country have resulted in some progress. The hope is for every child in Burundi to have the assurance of fundamental human rights and remain protected from the terror that comes in times of conflict.
– Yasmin Hailes
Photo: Flickr