Memorandum submitted by Plan
UK
Children and Young People in
Peace Building and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Sierra Leone
"Let us be the future nation builders
and positive leaders of Sierra Leone." Moses, aged 14.
"Come and work with the children,
work with the young people, because we are the future of Sierra
Leone. The future of this country lies on us." Abu Bakrr,
aged 19.
Summary
The Sierra Leone war will be remembered
for the central role played by children both as victims and perpetrators
of violence. Since 2002, children and young people have been important
contributors to the processes of peace building and post conflict
reconstruction. Children and young people are a significant proportion
of Sierra Leone's population - 49% of the population is under
18 and approximately 55% of the population is aged 15 - 35. Life
expectancy is one of the lowest at 41 years. As such, their continued
and developing participation in the long-term development of their
country is key to maintaining peace in Sierra Leone. The UK Government
should continue its commitment for Sierra Leone and other post
conflict contexts by supporting a child and youth centred agenda
for development.
Introduction
1. Plan is an international child
centred development organisation committed to promoting the rights
of children worldwide. We operate in 46 of the world's poorest
countries. Our programme in Sierra Leone is one of our longest
established in Africa - Plan has worked there for 30 years. Plan
UK welcomes the opportunity to present evidence from the children
of Sierra Leone on peace building and post conflict reconstruction.
2. The Children's Forum Network
is a Sierra Leonean child led advocacy network, which was established
in 2000. The network works through schools and local children's
clubs across Sierra Leone advocating for and raising awareness
of children's rights. The Children's Forum Network has contributed
to several national consultations on post-conflict reconstruction,
processes for the reintegration of former child soldiers, the
Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission and consultations
on the development of Sierra Leone's Poverty Reduction Strategy
Paper.
3. This evidence was gathered at
a three-day workshop of the Children's Forum Network held in Freetown
between 9 and 12 January 2006, organised and facilitated by Plan
UK. Twenty children took part in discussions leading to the evidence
contained herein[97].
Included as supplementary evidence is a ten-minute film from the
children, a transcript of which is attached as an Appendix.
4. Children constitute an estimated
52% of the population in developing countries. They can be both
victims and perpetrators in conflict. Plan believes that concentrating
on children and young people in peace building and post-conflict
development is an efficient and necessary strategy. The success
of calling for and abiding by ceasefires in the middle of conflicts
across the world in order to immunise children demonstrates the
possibilities of building consensus and group action around the
needs of children in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Impact of the Sierra Leone Civil
War on Children and Young People
5. The details of Sierra Leone's
ten-year civil war, which officially ended in January 2002, are
well documented. What is notable, however, is the involvement
of children both as perpetrators and victims of violence during
the war. Soon after the conflict started in 1991, it became evident
that both the rebel and government forces were recruiting children
into their ranks. Thousands of children were captured by rebel
troops of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) to serve as soldiers,
cooks, porters and 'wives' of the adult fighters. In the national
disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DRR) programme,
6845 child soldiers were demobilised[98].
6. The war had an immense impact
on the children and young people of Sierra Leone. All of the children
involved in preparing this evidence witnessed war-related atrocities
firsthand. These included shootings, amputations and mutilation,
physical and sexual abuse of women, and destruction of property.
Some were themselves captured by RUF troops. All experienced disruption
of their education, some for several years at a time, as large
numbers of Sierra Leoneans fled their homes.
7. "[During the war], we young
people were used and abused by adults
which affected young
people psychologically, socially and physically. Psychologically,
young people witnessed negative things. They are now unable to
move on from what happened and always remember the terrible things
that happened during the war. [The war] stopped many young people's
education and so many young people lost the people who usually
take care of their education [like their parents]. Physically,
young people were used during the war [as soldiers]. Socially,
the war made young people lose many of their close friends[99]."
8. Sierra Leone's Truth and Reconciliation
Commission, which concluded in June 2004, and the Special Court,
which is currently hearing evidence, were important processes
for national healing and conflict resolution. Children played
an important role in national healing processes in the immediate
aftermath of the war. They were invited to give evidence in the
Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a child-friendly version
of the document has been produced.
Building Peace and Security in Sierra
Leone
9. Sierra Leone is one of the least
developed countries in the world according to all indicators and
is ranked 176 out of 177 countries - only Niger is ranked lower
- in the UN's Human Development Index[100].
Concerns remain both inside and outside of Sierra Leone for the
country's long-term security and lasting peace. "Today, while
humanitarian relief has alleviated the most suffering, many of
the causes the civil war are still evident (e.g. poverty, corruption,
poor governance, injustice[101]."
The Children's Forum Network expressed a strong sense that peace
and security may not be maintained under such conditions and the
children spoke of living with a daily fear of a return to the
instability of war.
10. It is clear that without increased
investment in conflict prevention, countries like Sierra Leone
will not make the rapid acceleration in development that its people
seek. Investing in development is itself an investment in peace
and security, but there is much more that should be done directly
to strengthen conflict prevention.[102]
There was a strong desire from the Children's Forum Network to
see greater action to prevent the re-emergence of violent conflict
in Sierra Leone, including direct investment in the needs of young
people and in their continued empowerment.
11. As Sierra Leone moves beyond
the immediate post conflict period, a key concern of the Children's
Forum Network is that long-term and predictable donor support
does not end. They welcomed the fact the UK government has worked
to commit to this kind of support, providing £120 million
in direct budget and other support over a three-year period 2004
to 2006. This follows a three-year commitment of £104 million
from 2001 to 2003[103].
Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Poverty Reduction
12. The Children's Forum Network
was concerned that Sierra Leone as a nation needs to move on and
away from the war. The children were in agreement that the Truth
and Reconciliation Commission was an important contribution to
this process. They also welcomed their involvement in and the
focus on children and young people's priorities in Sierra Leone's
first Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, published in May 2005.
The Children's Forum Network successfully lobbied for a Children's
Act, which enshrines the principles and rights of the UN Convention
on the Rights of the Child, and is now keen for Sierra Leone's
Children's Act to be given Presidential Assent.
13. The Children's Forum Network
identified three areas that they would like the Sierra Leonean
government, civil society and communities, and donor governments
to focus their attention on.
Youth Employment and Empowerment
14. Through the work of the Children's
Forum Network itself, the voices of children have remained part
of recent national processes in Sierra Leone's post conflict era,
leading to important commitments such as the Children's Act. However,
a major concern cited by the children is the growing disenfranchisement
of young people - officially defined as people aged 15 to 35[104].
It is estimated that 55% of the population is between 15 and 35
years old.[105] Life
expectancy is low at 41 years[106].
The most recent official data available stated that young adults
aged 15-24 are among the poorest of the poor[107].
Although the Sierra Leonean government recently revised its National
Youth Policy, there has been little obvious investment in this
majority of the Sierra Leonean population.
15. Internal displacement in Sierra
Leone during the civil war has meant large numbers of young people
living in Freetown and other urban centres. There are concerns
about low employment rates, a lack of training and education opportunities
for young people, and some evidence of the continued attractiveness
of joining fighting forces across the West Africa region. The
Children's Forum Network recognised the impact this is having
on the esteem and ultimately the opportunities available to young
people in Sierra Leone[108].
The children and young people involved in the workshop consistently
recommended that job creation, and investment in training and
education become a clear priority for government, civil society
and non-governmental organisations[109].
Good Governance
16. "Without justice, there
will be no peace." Bamine, aged 16. As a country emerging
from war, trust in politicians, political structures and the justice
system remains low in Sierra Leone. Corruption is widespread at
all levels. The Children's Forum Network discussed ways of tackling
corruption and a system of good governance. They support anti-corruption
measures, and stress that these should not only remain independent
of government but should include representation of young people.
17. The Children's Forum Network
is clear that through children and particularly young people's
active participation as citizens, models of good governance and
leadership can be developed. As such, they are keen to see the
Children's Act receive Presidential Assent. Through building local
constituencies of children and young people aware of their rights
and of their responsibilities as citizens and future leaders,
models of good governance can be developed through to national
level.
18. In Plan's experience, children
and young people are playing an increasingly active role in governance
at all levels around the world. These range from Children's Parliaments
to local children's clubs with an active advocacy agenda to the
model of Child-Friendly Barangays/Villages in the Philippines,
where children's needs and rights are central to village level
planning and development. As a result, children have also become
part of regional and national level structures in the Philippines.
As children will themselves go on to become political leaders
and citizens, support is essential for developing good governance
models with children, particularly through local government and
particularly in Africa, a continent where 50.8% of the population
is aged under 18[110].
Education and Basic Services
19. Although the Sierra Leonean
government abolished primary school fees in 1999, an estimated
375,000 children of primary school age are not in school. In 2001,
the government waived national examination fees and basic education
was made compulsory in 2003. However, 30% of the population remains
illiterate. Enrolment rates and retention of girls in schools
lags behind boys, especially in secondary schools. [111]
20. The Children's Forum Network
recognised and acknowledged efforts being made to expand formal,
particularly primary education, in Sierra Leone. However, the
children were increasingly concerned about the quality of the
education they and their counterparts are receiving. Primary school
enrolment has increased to over 1 million[112],
but has resulted in a system unable to cope. The children were
keen to point out that teacher motivation and skill levels are
low because of poor salaries, intermittent receipt of salaries,
and lack of training.
21. They recommend that investment
in teaching staff be a clear priority. The abolition of school
fees should be extended to secondary schools and additional support
is needed for girls, particularly in Northern Sierra Leone. The
daily struggle of their guardians to find the hidden costs of
sending children to school was also highlighted[113].
A package of social protection measures for the most vulnerable
could include support towards these hidden costs[114].
22. Investment so far has been clearly
in the formal education sector. The Children's Forum Network identified
the need for street children, orphans and other vulnerable children
to have access to informal education. Children and young people
who have completed primary education and are unable to continue
in the formal sector, require access to vocational training and
informal learning.
23. The Children's Forum Network
identified key basic services requiring increased investment -
health care provision, and water and sanitation. There is a particular
need for investment in basic health care provision in rural areas,
and in maternal and child health. They were concerned about potential
impact of HIV and AIDS and discussed the need for greater awareness
and prevention measures in Sierra Leone. HIV and AIDS emerged
as a key factor in growing violent crime and susceptibility to
joining rebel movements in Sierra Leone[115],
although figures on national infection rates are unclear at present.
Child and Youth Centred Development
24. Poverty has a particular and
immediate effect on children. Long-term poverty reduction itself
begins with children[116].
The Sierra Leone Government produced its first Poverty Reduction
Strategy Paper (PRSP) in 2005.[117]
Children contributed to the consultation process towards the development
of the PRSP. There is general agreement that the perspectives,
input and involvement of children and young people in processes
like the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Disarmament,
Demobilisation and Reintegration programme and development of
the PRSP in Sierra Leone was important and necessary.
25. A child and youth centred agenda
for Sierra Leone's development is a real opportunity for the Sierra
Leonean government and donor governments, such as the UK, to follow
through on the involvement of and commitments made to children
in Sierra Leone over the past five years. Such an agenda is the
only way to fully engage Sierra Leone's youth and thus ensure
a better chance of building peace and a sustainable development
programme.
26. Such an agenda should include:
- National budget allocation and tracking
for children and young people's needs;
- Increased investment in basic services
particularly education, health, and water and sanitation;
- Investment in opportunities for young
people including training, education and employment;
- Creation of both formal and informal
spaces for children and young people to be consulted and involved
in decision-making; and
- A social protection package for the
most vulnerable including child-headed households, street children
and those made homeless during the war.
Recommendations
The Children's Forum Network makes the
following recommendations to the UK Government:
27. The UK Government should ensure
that its policy[118]
to support post-conflict reconstruction includes a focus on youth
employment and empowerment within a wider poverty reduction framework.
This is particularly important in the context of the African continent.
Evidence from Sierra Leone demonstrates the importance of engaging
with and supporting this important demographic.
28. The UK government should make
a clear policy commitment to develop a framework for supporting
the most vulnerable through social protection packages in post-conflict
settings.
29. The UK Government should use
its influence to ensure that young people are engaged in anti-corruption
processes in Sierra Leone, to which it has already provided support.
30. DFID should support children's
key priorities in Sierra Leone - youth employment, strengthening
civil society in order to hold government accountable and a social
protection package.
31. The UK Government should support
the Sierra Leonean Government to:
- Develop a child and youth centred
agenda for development out of its PRSP;
- Provide free, high quality education
and vocational training by investing in training, teaching material
and the (re)construction of schools and vocational training centres;
- Develop employment opportunities with
a particular focus on young people, invest in and encourage new
industries and the agricultural sector, and create investment
links with the Sierra Leonean Diaspora in the UK[119];
and
- Invest in basic healthcare provision,
particularly in rural areas.
The Children's Forum Network makes the
following recommendations to the International Development Select
Committee:
1. The International Development
Select Committee should meet with a delegation from the Children's
Forum Network when Committee members visit Freetown.
2. The International Development
Select Committee should enquire of its Parliamentary counterparts
in Sierra Leone of progress towards Presidential Assent of the
Children's Act.
January 2006
97 The workshop's participants were: Rosaline (16),
Henry (16), Christiana (17), Joseph (17), Josephine (12), Janet
(13), John (11), Ishmael (8), Easterline (12), Ibrahim (16), Bamine
(16), Charles (17), Moses (13), Aminata (12), Dennis (17), (Desmond
(11), Isata (10), Fatmata (8), Mohamed (18), Elkanah (17). The
workshop was facilitated by Abu Bakr Messeh (19). Back
98
UNICEF, 2004, Post Conflict Sierra Leone: An Analytical review
of the Situation of Children and UNICEF's Response. Back
99
The words of Josephine, aged 12, during Children and Young People
in Peace Building and Post Conflict Reconstruction in Sierra Leone
workshop, Freetown, January 2006 Back
100
UNDP, 2004, Human Development Index. Back
101
DFID, 2004, Supporting Security, Justice, and Development. Back
102
Commission for Africa, 2004, Our Common Interest: Report of
the Commission for Africa. Back
103
DFID, 2004, Country Assistance Plan: Sierra Leone. Back
104
Government of Sierra Leone, 2004, National Youth Policy. Back
105
UNICEF, 2004, Ibid. Back
106
UNICEF, 2005, State of the World's Children 2006. Back
107
Government of Sierra Leone, 2004. Ibid. Back
108
Young men are largely labelled as 'yootman', a negative term meaning
an unemployed young man who engages in illegal activities such
as drug selling and robbery to survive. Back
109
The Sierra Leonean Government's current youth policy states the
following as priorities: job creation opportunities; skills training;
information and sensitisation; community development projects;
Presidential Award for Excellence and youth consultation and participation. Back
110
UNICEF, 2005, Ibid. Back
111
UNICEF, 2004, Ibid. Back
112
UNICEF, 2004, Ibid. Back
113
These costs include uniforms, school material, ad hoc fees to
teachers and meals. Back
114
Plan UK, 2005, Towards Ending Child Poverty: Social Protection
Measures. Back
115
Prime Minister's Strategy Unit Background Paper, 2005, Countries
at Risk of Instability: Future Risks of Instability. Back
116
UNICEF, 2000, Poverty Reduction Begins with Children. Back
117
Government of Sierra Leone, 2005, Sierra Leone Poverty Reduction
Strategy Paper. Back
118
DFID, 2005, Fighting Poverty to Build a Safer World: A Strategy
for Security and Development. Back
119
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office estimates that over 60,000
Sierra Leoneans live in the UK. Back
|