Protecting children affected by armed violence in the community

Armed violence in the community compromises children’s rights and is associated with serious risks for their development and safety, causing children to be injured, disabled, traumatized, exploited, orphaned, imprisoned and at times killed. Living in a community affected by armed violence has consequences for children who are targeted as well as those who witness or feel threatened by such an environment. Armed violence disrupts social harmony and family life, interrupts schooling, compromises health care, undermines economic development and generates fear which limits children’s ability to move freely, participate in the life of their community, enjoy childhood and develop as empowered citizens.

Protecting children from the impact of armed violence in the community7 is a priority concern for the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children and is being pursued in cooperation with a wide range of partners within and beyond the United Nations. This is a topic also on the agenda of the Coordinating Action on Small Arms8 in which the Special Representative participates together with UN agencies to address the impact of weapons on human rights, development, crime, terrorism, gender, youth, health and humanitarian activities.