Girls in Fighting Forces and Groups: Their Recruitment, Participation, Demobilization, and Reintegration

In: Peace and conflict: journal of peace psychology ; the journal of the Society for the Study of Peace, Conflict, and Violence, Peace Psychology Division of the American Psychological Association, Band 8, Heft 2, S. 97-123

Abstract

The question "Where are the girls?" is seldom raised in discussions about children or adolescents who are members of fighting forces & groups. This is due in large part to the near exclusive focus on boy soldiers. Consequently, scant attention has been given to girls' active involvement & distinct experiences in these forces & groups, whether as combatants or noncombatants. The purpose of this article is to explicate the presence & experiences of girls in fighting forces & groups & some of the challenges they face after they leave these forces & groups & attempt to resume their lives within their communities. We use descriptive data gathered from a wide variety of organizational & scholarly reports to identify girls' involvement & roles in these forces & groups, detail how they are recruited & demobilized, & examine common physical & psychosocial effects of their participation. We contend that during & after armed conflicts, gender-specific physical & psychological impacts must be understood so that both boys & girls receive effective help. Because little is presently known about girls' distinct experiences, programs, & policies that might assist them to heal & recover more rapidly from physical & psychosocial trauma are seldom developed. By being knowledgeable about & sensitive to girls' distinct experiences & needs, psychologists can help assure that girls, along with boys, receive more effective psychosocial assistance. 6 Tables, 1 Figure, 58 References. Adapted from the source document.