The effectiveness of international law in protecting girls recruited by Colombian non-state armed groups

This article examines the effectiveness of international frameworks in protecting children in armed conflict, focusing on the recruitment of girls by illegal armed groups in Colombia. Despite robust legal instruments, a significant implementation gap persists, leaving girls vulnerable. Through a gendered analysis, this paper assesses how international law addresses the specific challenges girl soldiers face, including sexual violence, psychological trauma, and social reintegration barriers. By critically evaluating the successes and failures of these legal frameworks and associated reinsertion programs, this article contributes to the discourse on enhancing protection. It offers policy recommendations tailored to the Colombian context to advance social justice for former girl combatants.