Content_paragraphs:  The United Nations recorded an increase in the number of grave violations 
  
  against children in Mali. During the reporting period, 236 violations committed 
  
  against 183 children were verified, compared with 225 violations committed against 
  
  156 children during the previous period. The violations were verified and occurred in 
  
  the regions of Mopti (59), Gao (57), Kidal (47), Timbuktu (28), Ségou (21), Ménaka 
  
  (20), Koulikoro (2), as well as in Bamako (2). A total of 40 children (30 boys and 
  
  10 girls) were killed and maimed. Of those, 20 were killed and 20 maimed. Also, 
  
  122 children (91 boys and 31 girls) aged between 10 and 17 years were verified as 
  
  recruited and used. Eighty-nine of those children have been separated from armed 
  
  groups, while 33 remain active in their ranks, with the United Nations advocating for 
  
  their release. As at December 2020, more than 1,230 schools were clo sed owing to 
  
  insecurity, which affected more than 378,300 children, predominantly in Mopti 
  
  Region. 
  
  
  
   
  S/2021/299 
  
   
  
  11/19 21-03820