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ELDIS GENDER REPORTER Direct Document Link:
Girls formerly associated with fighting forces and their children: returned and neglected (2006) Authors: McKay, S.; Robinson, M.; Gonsales, M.; Worthern, M. Produced by: Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers (2006) This paper outlines the considerable challenges facing girl mothers leaving fighting forces who seek to reintegrate into their communities in southern and western Africa. Often stigmatised and rejected by their communities, these girls struggle to find ways to earn a living to support themselves and their children in the face of economic and sexual exploitation. The authors call for improved support from their communities so that mothers can better care for their children and earn their own living. They speak of a need for a healing period prior to reintegration, as well as access to public medical services, education and skills training. The paper outlines key themes, issues and priorities for programming in this area based on an awareness of changing family structures, child protection issues and community concerns. They draw attention to the plight of the children of girl mothers whose needs remain largely unknown, in spite of the child protection focus of agencies working with their mothers. The authors conclude that community based programming offers the potential for a way forward in reintegrating this particularly 'at-risk' group. Available online at: http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC21054 |