Abstract
This chapter examines the concept of human dignity and its violation as theological categories in the context of the tragic phenomenon of female child soldiers. Because a theological approach concerns itself with the plight of not only female child soldiers but also male child soldiers (because both sexes are children), this discussion includes an articulation of the differences in the respective experiences of these young females and males. Additionally, this chapter examines the attempts of the international community to facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration of former child soldiers; and to promote effective preventative measures in the future. Moreover, this chapter will explore the challenges of rehabilitation and reintegration of female child soldiers in their respective societies (in contrast to their male counterparts), in terms of the degree to which these efforts can foster hope in the possibility that these children can flourish as human beings.
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Notes
- 1.
Although the State Department has documents which reflect that the Afghan National Police and the Afghan Local Police continue to use child soldiers, Afghanistan has still not been restored to this list.
- 2.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child defines “child” as “every human being below the age of 18 years.” Most child soldiers are between 13 and 18 years of age; although many groups include children aged 12 and under. Both government and non-state forces in developed and developing countries are guilty. Steel notes that even the UK, the US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand recruit youths as young as 17. See Michelle Steel, “Child Soldiers.”
- 3.
Dyan Mazurana’s research focus includes women’s and children’s rights during armed conflict and post conflict; serious crimes and violations committed during armed conflict and their effects on victims and civilian populations; armed opposition groups; and remedy and reparation. Susan McKay’s teaching and research have focused on women, girls, and armed conflict; women and peacebuilding; and feminist issues in peace psychology. See Michelle Steel, “Child Soldiers.”
- 4.
With the current sexual abuse scandal involving thousands of children, perpetrated by hundreds of clergy, and the failure of high-level church officials to address this abomination, the church’s moral integrity has been seriously compromised.
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Mitchell, B.E. (2019). Human Rights, Dignity, and Female Child Soldiers: A Theological Approach. In: Willhauck, S. (eds) Female Child Soldiering, Gender Violence, and Feminist Theologies. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21982-6_2
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