Peacekeeping and Child Protection

Resolution 1612 (2005) is the landmark resolution that established a comprehensive framework for the protection of children in armed conflict.

Peacekeeping missions are primarily responsible for monitoring and reporting on violations against children, as well as advocating for their rights and coordinating humanitarian assistance.

Peacekeeping missions may undertake a variety of tasks to protect children, including establishing child-friendly spaces, providing education and psychosocial support, reuniting children with their families, and advocating for the release of children from armed groups.

Peacekeeping missions face a number of challenges in protecting children, including lack of resources, lack of political will, difficulty in accessing conflict-affected areas, and hostility from armed groups.

Peacekeeping missions can improve their protection of children by engaging with local communities, working closely with child protection agencies, developing child protection policies and procedures, and providing training to peacekeepers on child protection.

The international community can support peacekeeping missions in their efforts to protect children by providing financial and logistical support, advocating for the protection of children in armed conflict, holding armed groups accountable for violations against children, and supporting the reintegration of children into their communities.

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict is responsible for monitoring and reporting on violations against children in armed conflict, advocating for the protection of children in armed conflict, and coordinating the efforts of the UN system to protect children in armed conflict.

The Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict is responsible for developing policies and guidelines on the protection of children in armed conflict, monitoring and reporting on violations against children in armed conflict, and coordinating the efforts of the UN system to protect children in armed conflict.

The Security Council has the responsibility to adopt resolutions on the protection of children in armed conflict, impose sanctions on armed groups that violate the rights of children, and refer situations of grave violations against children to the International Criminal Court.

The International Criminal Court has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute individuals accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide, issue arrest warrants for individuals accused of grave violations against children, and provide reparations to victims of grave violations against children.

UNICEF has the responsibility to provide humanitarian assistance to children affected by armed conflict, advocate for the protection of children in armed conflict, and support the reintegration of children into their communities.

UNHCR has the responsibility to provide protection and assistance to refugees and internally displaced persons, advocate for the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, and support the reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons into their communities.

WFP has the responsibility to provide food assistance to children affected by armed conflict, advocate for the protection of children in armed conflict, and support the reintegration of children into their communities.

UNFPA has the responsibility to provide reproductive health services to women and girls affected by armed conflict, advocate for the protection of women and girls in armed conflict, and support the reintegration of women and girls into their communities.

UNESCO has the responsibility to provide education to children affected by armed conflict, advocate for the protection of children in armed conflict, and support the reintegration of children into their communities.