Africa: Girls formerly associated with fighting forces and their children

This paper outlines the considerable challenges facing girl mothers leaving fighting forces who seek to reintegrate into their communities in southern and western Africa. Often stigmatised and rejected by their communities, these girls struggle to find ways to earn a living to support themselves and their children in the face of economic and sexual exploitation. The authors call for improved support from their communities so that mothers can better care for their children and earn their own living. They speak of a need for a healing period prior to reintegration, as well as access to public medical services, education and skills training.