Skip to page content
Bureau of International Labor Affairs
Bookmark and Share
DOL Home > ILAB > Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Technical Cooperation Project Summary

Project Title

Demobilization of Child Soldiers and Socio-Economic Reintegration of War-affected Young People in Afghanistan

Region/Country

SOUTH ASIA/Afghanistan

Project Duration

May 5, 2003 – December 31, 2007 (revised)

Fiscal Year & Funding Level

FY 2002: USD 3,000,000

Problem to be Addressed

Children or adolescents under 18 years of age were recruited and used as soldiers by all warring factions during more than 20 years of civil war and resistance in Afghanistan.  Many young people participating in armed conflict grew up without acquiring any skills other than military skills. If nothing is offered to stimulate their positive development and build their capacity to join in the national reconstruction process, these young people may become a de-stabilizing force in their communities.  They not only lack a source of income, but moreover are at risk of returning to military life or falling prey to criminal elements ready to exploit their desperate economic situation and involve them in organized crime.

Results

The project demobilized 7,444 child soldiers.  Reintegration support, involving a series of interventions including education in literacy and life skills, vocational skills training, and psycho-social and medical support, was provided to 12,614 former child soldiers and other war-affected children.

Project Objectives

Facilitate the demobilization of child soldiers/minors associated with the fighting forces.

Reintegrate war-affected young people (including child soldiers) in Afghanistan and implement effective measures for their rehabilitation and psycho-social recovery, and re-socialization and economic reintegration into their communities.

Immediate objectives include:

  • Stop/prevent recruitment of children under 18 years of age as soldiers, forced or otherwise, and ensure the demobilization, recovery and reintegration of currently serving and former minors associated with armed groups in Afghanistan;
  • Contribute to the building of a sustainable peace and reconstruction through support to and involvement of young ex-combatants and other war-affected groups; and
  • Reintegrate young people into stable and nurturing family environments, providing them with socio-economic opportunities, including access to quality education and psychosocial care by activating the children's existing community support systems and reestablishing age-appropriate daily routines.

Summary of Activities
  • Supported measures, including legislative review, advocacy and awareness raising, to prevent the use of children in combat-related work and other worst forms of child labor;
  • Demobilized former child soldiers;
  • Provided educational, economic and social services to demobilized child soldiers and war-affected youth; and
  • Increased the capacity of government and civil society actors.

Grantee

UNICEF

Implementing Partners

Child Fund Afghanistan, Christian Children’s Fund, BRAC, Save the Children-UK, Save the Children-Sweden, International Rescue Committee.

Contact Information

Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT)

(202) 693-4843