While GBV (Gender Based Violence), particularly in wars and post-conflict situations, has received academic and public attention, the issue of Children Born of War has largely been overlooked, with existing studies often having been conducted in isolation of narrow disciplinary frameworks.
Initially founded in 2015 through funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme, the Children Born Of War (CHIBOW) research network has enabled inter-disciplinary research into the experiences of children born of war in conflict and post-conflict situations; how militaries, governments, and non-governmental policy makers assist this integration process; and how the children’s lived experiences reflect broader societal attitudes to memories of war and vice versa.
The network comprises over 20 academic and non-academic organisations globally, coordinating world-leading researchers across history, psychology, psychiatry, social sciences, public health, and international development. In collaboration with NGOs, commercial and media partners, interdisciplinary research institutes, policy makers, and cultural and educational institutions they have worked on translating research insights into action for change, among others through creative and media projects, but also work with policy-makers that has contributed to significant progress in promoting the right and wellbeing of children born of war, and through charitable work.
CHIBOW has trained a cohort of young scientists with the necessary breadth and depth of experience – combined with research excellence and an array of transferable skills – to help shape policy and strategies that can be implemented to make a positive difference to the lives of war-affected children.
To find out more, visit the CHIBOW site or visit, GRACE, the UK-based international charity which developed from this project. GRACE promotes longer-term sustainable reconciliation and advocacy for children born of war, their families and communities.
If you would like to learn more, please contact Lead Researcher, Dr Sabine Lee at s.lee@bham.ac.uk
