Feb. 12 - Red Hand Day - No children as soldiers

Red Hand Day is an annual commemoration day created to draw attention to the fate of children who are forced to serve as soldiers in wars and armed conflicts.

Red Hand Day was initiated in 2002 when the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict entered into force on February 12, 2002. This protocol was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in May 2000. It currently has signatures from 92 different states. Unfortunately, the number of child soldiers has hardly changed since then. There are still 250,000 children used in the wars of the adults.

The Red Hand symbol, has been used all over the world by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers and many civil society organizations to say no to the recruitment and use of child soldiers. We encourage activities involving Red Hands to attract media attention, as well as the attention of decision makers and opinion leaders.

Visit Red Hand Day Org