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A group of girls attending a science class at the Wihdat camp for Palestinian refugees in Amman, Jordan.
Students in a science class at a girls’ school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in the Wihdat Camp for Palestine refugees in Amman, Jordan.
Photo:UN/Mark Garten

Armed conflicts: When the noise of guns silences education

“Education is not only a basic human right in itself — it’s essential to the fulfilment of all human rights”, according to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who says this important day reminds us of the devastating impact of war on the bodies, minds, and spirits of young learners.

With the knowledge, skills and support gained through education, generations survive crises and lead the world toward a sustainable future. This is particularly true for vulnerable groups including girls, migrants, refugees and people with disabilities, among others.

Places of education should be safe havens for children, students and education personnel. However, all too often they, and the places wherein they learn, become either direct targets or collateral damage in conflict-affected contexts.

Attacks on education can have serious, long-term physical and psychological repercussions for students and teachers. Attacks can suspend teaching and learning, lead to a significant increase in dropout rates and prevent students from accessing their right to quality education.

The incalculable cost to children caught in conflict hell

The UN Secretary-General's on Children and Armed Conflict for the year 2023 presents a harrowing account of the violence endured by children in conflict zones. The report verifies a staggering 32,990 grave violations against 22,557 children, highlighting an alarming increase in such incidents.

The data includes first-time reports from Haiti and Niger, contributing to the broader picture of the 25 situations monitored. The most affected areas were Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Nigeria, and Sudan.

The violations were perpetrated roughly equally by armed groups and government forces, with armed groups mainly responsible for abduction, recruitment, use, and sexual violence, while government forces were primarily involved in killing, maiming, and attacks on schools and hospitals. The report underscores the devastating impact of explosive weapons in populated areas, which not only cause death and injury but also hinder humanitarian aid delivery.

We need to stop failing our children

The alarming number of children who suffered grave violations in conflicts during 2023 is “a wakeup call”, according to the .

Virginia Gamba declared that “we are failing children” and called on the international community “to recommit to the universal consensus to protect children from armed conflict”. She also called upon the member states of the Organization to “fulfill their primary responsibility to protect their populations and respect all norms and standards applicable in the conduct of armed conflict situations”.

Girls in Afghanistan want to go back to school

 

After the 2021 Taliban takeover in #Afghanistan, 17-year-old Mursal is still in disbelief that she can’t go back to school. “It’s not right that they’re ordering us to hide our faces and stop going to school. I hope that young girls will not give up,” she says.

Background

The day was established by a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly, calling on UNESCO and UNICEF to raise awareness of the plight of millions of children living in countries affected by conflict. The resolution proclaiming the Day was presented by the State of Qatar and co-sponsored by 62 countries.

The General Assembly resolution affirms that governments have the primary responsibility to provide protection and ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels to all learners, especially those in vulnerable situations. It further emphasizes the need to intensify efforts and increase funding to promote safe and protective school environments in humanitarian emergencies by taking all feasible measures to protect schools, learners and educational personnel from attack, refrain from actions that impede children’s access to education, and facilitate access to education in situations of armed conflict.

UNESCO and UNICEF will facilitate the annual observance of the Day in close collaboration with partners within and outside the UN system. Working on the frontlines in conflict-affected countries, the UN entities have long assisted Member States in strengthening their capacity to provide access to quality educational opportunities for all in times of crisis.

Did you know?

  • In 2023 32,990 grave violations were verified against 22,557 children.
  • The number of children killed in 2023 (5,301) is the equivalent of almost 15 children killed every day.
  • The highest numbers of grave violations were verified in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Somalia, Nigeria, and the Sudan.
  • Roughly 50 percent of violations were committed by armed groups, including those designated as terrorists by the United Nations, whereas the rest were committed by government forces, and by unidentified perpetrators, such as landmines and improvised explosive devices.
  • Despite multiplying and escalating crises, more than 10,600 children formerly associated with armed forces or groups received protection or reintegration support during 2023.

Source:

Resources

The  was opened for state endorsement in Oslo, Norway, in May 2015. It is a political commitment to better protect students, teachers, schools and universities during armed conflict, to support the continuation of education during war, and to put in place concrete measures to deter the military use of schools. By endorsing the Declaration, States commit to restoring access to safe education and to developing education systems that are conflict-sensitive and promote respect between social or ethnic groups. 

The serves as the leading UN advocate for the protection and well-being of children affected by armed conflict. Attacks against schools are one of '' that warrant listing governments or armed groups in the annual report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict presented to the Security Council. Others are killing and maiming of children; recruitment or use of children as soldiers; sexual violence against children; abduction of children; and denial of humanitarian access.

 

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International days and weeks are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity. The existence of international days predates the establishment of the United Nations, but the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool. We also mark other UN observances.