UN reveals record rise in violence against children across 2024 conflict zones
The United Nations report notes that there has been an increase in casualties in conflict zones during 2024, in various areas, including violence and incidents.
A United Nations report indicates that a high number of casualties has been recorded regarding acts of violence in conflict zones, with the number of incidents increasing by 25% throughout 2024.
The exact number of children who were killed, injured, denied support, or even recruited into conflict was 22,495. Attacks on schools also increased by 44%, and sexual violence against children also increased by 35%, the United Nations Security Council reported.
UN blames global armed groups for 41,000+ violations against children, including Gaza atrocities
Virginia Gamba, the UN Secretary-General's representative for children and armed conflict, commented, "Children living in the midst of hostilities are being robbed of their childhood. Instead of recognizing the special protections afforded them, governments and armed groups around the world blatantly ignore international law, which defines a child as any person under the age of 18," Gamba said.
On the other hand, the report also highlights that there were 41,370 incidents of rape against minors, of which 4,856 occurred in Gaza. These incidents, which occurred in this city, were mostly carried out by Israeli security forces, and include murders, denial of permits for medical treatment, injuries, among others.
Sexual violence against children in conflict zones surges in Nigeria, Haiti, Somalia, and DRC, UN warns
The report also highlights the increase in countries such as Nigeria, Haiti, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Furthermore, the document expresses concern about the rise in rape and kidnapping of women in these aforementioned countries.
Attacks on schools rose by 44% and incidents of sexual violence against children increased by 35% in 2024, according to the latest UN report on armed conflicts. Photo: 123RF
The executive director of Save the Children International, Inger Ashing, said that this should be treated with the same seriousness as weapons, given the seriousness of the situation: "Sexual violence against children in conflict situations is a crime that once occurred in the shadows, but is now increasingly used as a tactic of open warfare," Ashing commented.
