As a compromise measure, the Protocol allows governments to accept voluntary recruits as young as sixteen, but only with certain safeguards, including parental permission and proof of age. The United Nations General Assembly is expected to adopt the Protocol in soon. Member states will then have the opportunity to sign and ratify the Protocol and begin its implementation.
Much more work needs to be done to stop the use of child soldiers worldwide.
The national Gender Equity Committee and the Youth Caucus jointly presented this issue to the Board. Other NGOs who have joined the Campaign include Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Youth Advocate Program International . Amnesty International estimates that there are over 300,000 children under the age of 18 participating in armed hostilities in more than thirty countries. They note that there are hundreds of thousands more who could be sent into combat at any time. Moreover, although many of the recruits are over age 15, active child recruitment can start as early as the age of 10.