Realizing the Right to Reparations for Girl Soldiers: A Child-Sensitive and Gendered Approach

In this article, Bewicke explores reparation policies following armed conflict, specifically in terms of their suitability to adequately address the needs of girl child soldiers. The author suggests that, even though reparation jurisprudence is well-formed, there is a conspicuous gap for girl child soldiers. The author argues for a holistic approach that places such girls at the centre of the reparation process which she views as necessary to begin the healing process. Bewicke explores factors considered in determining whether someone is a child solider including age and duties undertaken by the child. She also analyzes other challenges in providing reparations to child soldiers. Further, the author argues that the Thomas Lubanga Dyilo case decided by the International Criminal Court is an important demonstration of the tensions embedded in the current reparation jurisprudence: neglecting girl soldiers at the outset of the reparation project results in diminishing efficacy of the whole process itself.