Why are child soldiers being deployed?

Around the globe, Human Rights Watch has documented the recruitment and use of children as soldiers. Today, child soldiers are ... Read more in our report, "Sold to be Soldiers." Central African ... also used children. In 2011, rebel forces in Taizz deployed children to patrol roads and operate checkpoints. read more

Child soldiers are recruited in West Africa when rebel grouos fight against the government. Families are torn apart, and towns are raided and children are taken by force. Some families even sell their children. Rebel groups need pawns to fight in rebellions, which is why children are taken. read more

In 2004, Child Soldiers International estimated that 100,000 children were being used in state and non-state armed forces on the continent; and in 2008 an estimate put the total at 120,000 children, or 40 percent of the global total. read more