Date :

READ TO GET INFORMED

CHILD SOLDIER STATISTICS

Approximately 300,000 children under the age of 18 are thought to be fighting in conflicts
around the world.
Most child soldiers are recruited from the age of 10 upwards.
Some children are tempted to become soldiers by promises of food or security. Many others are
kidnapped and forced to fight. They do not usually get paid for their work.
Sometimes their captors force children to take addictive drugs to make them dependent and loyal.
Many of the children dont have a strong sense of right and wrong, and will commit atrocities such
as the murder of innocent people.
Child soldiers, both boys and girls, are often the victims of abuse.
Most often child soldiers are recruited in long drawn-out civil wars. Many are orphans, or are
recruited after losing their family.
Many children die or are wounded in battle. Those that survive and gain freedom need years of
support to overcome their trauma and successfully reintegrate into society.
Most child soldiers have missed out on opportunities for education and play and many have difficulty
finding a place in society.

Your TASK Read the facts below and complete the tasks.

What is the nature of the document under study ?

 What is the issue which is raised ?

Read the text and highlight all the transparent words in the text and circle 6 words you
dont understand.

Make a list of all the passive forms .

.
.

Rephrase (sentence ) in the active form.

The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child has
certain rights that should never be taken away from them. Using the information listed above,
find at least five rights in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child handout that are
violated in the case of child soldiers.

To what extent can child soldiers be seen as victims or slaves. Explain in your
own words making use of passive forms in your answer. (30/40 words)