Children of War: Broken Lives and Hope for the Future

War is a serious issue, especially for children. People sometimes forget that some children lived their childhood during war or in conflict areas. Imagine going through the childhood phase amidst the heat of battle, bombs, terror, and difficult access to education or food. The childhood phase that should have been filled with fun, laughter, joy, and happiness was destroyed due to war and conflicts. This certainly has a significant impact on the growth of children. Hence, it is essential to increase public awareness of the importance of seeing children who lived their childhood in times of war or in conflict areas

The Impact of War on Children

Based on a report written by Siri Aas Rustad & Andreas For Tollefsen, in 2019, 1.6 billion children (69%) were living in a conflict-affected country [1]. Take a look at children during World War 2; Imperial War Museum said that during the Blitz--the German bombing campaign against the United Kingdom, in 1940 and 1941, during the Second World War--7,736 children were killed and 7,622 seriously wounded [2].

It pains to look at those numbers. This shows that children are greatly affected by the occurrence of wars and conflicts in the world. Children are among the most vulnerable groups in relation to new wars, as they face forced displacement, loss of homes and families, separation from parents, and all aspects of armed conflict. 

Even more, war endangers the physical and mental health of children, who are killed, tortured, separated from their families, maimed, or wounded, and suffer from malnutrition and infectious diseases. Children are also often recruited as child soldiers and are at increased risk of injury and harm to others. 

The childhood phase, which should have been educated, receiving nutritious food, and learning many things, was destroyed by war and conflict. School closures deprive children of one of their most important protective factors and leave lifelong scars on education and employment. Destruction, poverty, and violence create a vicious circle that perpetuates the effects of war on children [3]. 

War and conflict also have long-term effects on children. The long-term effects of war on children can be severe and far-reaching. Children who experience conflict can have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems, which can persist into adulthood. The trauma they experience can also affect their ability to form relationships, hold a job, and participate fully in society. Without adequate support and resources, these children may struggle to cope with their challenges, making it imperative that governments and aid organizations prioritize their post-conflict needs [4].

It can be seen that there are many impacts of war and conflict on children. The effects above may only be a part of the many impacts on children who grow up in times of war or conflict areas.

Children as Agents of Change

Among the devastating effects of war on children are inspiring examples of children being active agents of change in conflict areas. Malala Yousafzai was shot dead by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education in Pakistan. Despite the attacks, Malala continued her activism, and her message of education and women's rights has impacted countless people worldwide. It has helped raise awareness of the need for equal access to education for all children, regardless of gender [5].