Abstract
Journal of Paediatrics and Child HealthVolume 50, Issue 9 p. 742-743 Heads UpFree Access Girl child soldiers First published: 25 August 2014 https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.12700_4AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Much has been written about child soldiers. A recent review estimated that 40% are girls, a total of about 120 000 girls world-wide.1 Girls are vulnerable to sexual abuse, torture and psychological trauma, with a huge long-term impact on their mental, physical and reproductive health. Almost half of girl soldiers describe their primary role as ‘fighters’, other roles being cooks, kitchen hands, performing menial tasks, etc. Children are often considered expendable and may be used in ambushes, as human shields, to sweep minefields and on suicide missions. At least a third of survivors have combat injuries. Girls forced into excessive manual labour frequently have back injuries. Some armed groups give children drugs and alcohol prior to battle and addiction hampers rehabilitation. Girl soldiers are often raped or ‘given as a wife’ and risk sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, genital tract injury and lifelong psychological scarring. This deeply disturbing but very informative review suggests how health-care professionals from high-income countries can contribute to prevention and to rehabilitation of girl soldiers.1 Reference 1Stevens AJ. Arch. Dis. Child. 2014; 99: 458– 462. CrossrefWeb of Science®Google Scholar Reviewer: David Isaacs, Children's Hospital at Westmead (david.isaacs@health.nsw.gov.au) Volume50, Issue9September 2014Pages 742-743 ReferencesRelatedInformation
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