UN Security Council urges more protections for children in conflicts

UN News Centre

The United Nations Security Council has urged countries and non-State actors to allow children access to education and healthcare during and post-conflicts, according to this report from the UN News Centre. The Council released a statement  in a debate in New York calling for the protection of children's rights and the consideration of their best interests, including their needs and vulnerabilites, in making any decisions related to children in war zones. The Council also "reiterated that protection of children should be an important aspect of a comprehensive strategy to resolve conflict and sustain peace." Furthermore, one of the speakers at the event, Secretary-General's Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba, "appealed for adequate funds to implement and sustain reintegration, reinsertion and reskilling programmes to support children conscripted into armies. She also reiterated that such children, including girls, are primarily victims." Gamba called for accountability to "break cycles of violence aid prevention efforts.”