Government Forces Led in Violations Against Children in 2025 Conflicts, Highlighting Systemic Failures in Protection Mechanisms
Original framing: “In 2025, Government Forces were the Greatest Perpetrators of Violence Against Children in Armed Conflicts” — Global Issues
The targeting of children in conflict has deep historical roots, from the forced assimilation of Indigenous children in residential schools to the use of child soldiers in colonial wars. These patterns reveal a consistent strategy of destabilizing communities through the destruction of future generations. The 2025 report is part of a continuum of violence that reflects broader historical patterns of state control and subjugation.
The systemic violence against children in conflict is not an isolated phenomenon but a symptom of deeper structural issues rooted in colonial legacies, resource exploitation, and geopolitical interests.
Indigenous knowledge and cross-cultural perspectives offer alternative frameworks for child protection that emphasize community resilience and holistic healing. Scientific evidence supports the need for trauma-informed care, while the voices of marginalized children reveal the lived realities that mainstream narratives often ignore. To break the cycle of violence, we must hold international actors accountable, integrate local knowledge into policy, and prioritize long-term healing over short-term humanitarian aid. This requires a radical rethinking of how we define and respond to child protection in conflict zones.