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Gcmun

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shahprithvi01

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The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) operates in South Africa as part of its global

mandate to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism. The UNODC Regional Office for Southern
Africa (ROSAF) covers 11 countries in the region: Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland (Eswatini), Zambia, and
Zimbabwe.

Unodc mainly focus on

1. Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice

2. Drug Control and Prevention

3. **Corruption

4. **Terrorism Prevention .

5. **Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling.

Programmes and inaitatives

 Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages;
 Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls;
 Goal 8: Promote Sustained, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth, Full and
Productive Employment and Decent Work for All;
 Goal 11: Make Cities Inclusive, Safe, Resilient and Sustainable;
 Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development,
provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive
institutions at all levels;
 Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Goal 16 is of particular importance to UNODC as it ensures that the rule of law, peace and
security are included in the new global agenda. UNODC will contribute to ensuring that all
global norms and standards (i.e. UNTOC, UNCAC, drug conventions, UN standards and norms
on criminal justice and crime prevention, as well as the legal instruments against terrorism)
are effectively reflected in national and regional agendas.

1. The intricate relationship between drug trafficking, substance abuse, and criminal activities
worsen the country`s social and economic issues.
2. The South African Community Epidemiology Network on Drug Use (SACENDU) reported that
in the first half of 2020, the primary substances of abuse among those seeking treatment
were alcohol (34%), cannabis (24%), and methamphetamine (15%).
3. The prevalence of 'tik' (methamphetamine) use is particularly alarming in the Western Cape,
contributing significantly to the province's crime rates South Africa has one of the highest
crime rates globally, with drug-related crimes being a substantial component.
4. SAPS data for the 2019/2020 period shows that drug-related offenses often co-occur with
violent crimes such as murder, assault, and robbery.
5. For example, the Western Cape, which has a significant drug problem, also reported the
highest number of gang-related murders, with 1,134 cases recorded in 2019.
6.
7. Additionally, substance abuse contributes to health problems, with the South African
Medical Research Council (SAMRC) estimating that alcohol and drug use are responsible for
up to 12% of the country's disease burden.
8. The lack of economic opportunities and social services in many communities creates an
environment where drug trafficking and abuse can thrive.
9. children are not merely recruited alongside adults, but are specifically targeted, as the use
of children provides various advantages to the groups.

Good morning esteemed Charis and respected delegates The

use of children in hostilities is not a new phenomenon. Nearly
20 years ago, the report of the expert of the Secretary-General
on the impact of armed conflict on children, known as the
Machel Report, brought to international attention the extent
and consequences of recruitment and use of children by armed
forces and armed groups. While all children can become victims
of recruitment and exploitation by violent extremist groups, the
scale of recruitment of girls in the contemporary context of
militant groups has become a matter of particular concern. In
addition, the paths leading girls to such groups often remain
invisible. It is therefore of crucial importance to identify factors
contributing to the recruitment of girls, different recruitment
patterns and preferred forms of exploitation. There are a
number of reasons why girls are favoured targets of
recruitment. One reason is visibility: attacks by girls, especially
young girls, have a greater propaganda value, as they tend to
garner more media attention than attacks by their male
counterparts. Another reason is effectiveness, as girls do not
conform to traditional security profiles and they tend to raise
less suspicion and thus have an increased likelihood of
successfully carrying out attacks or support roles. Moreover,
different “push factors” and “pull factors” may apply to girls.
Girls may be induced to “fall in love” with a member of a group
through the social media; or they may seek an escape from
structural violence or family pressure at home by getting
married to a extremist group fighter. Regardless of the
conditions in which it takes place, the recruitment usually leads
to exploitation and victimization of children. While the
recruitment of children by armed groups has a long history, the
recruitment of children by terrorist and violent extremist
groups is a more recent phenomenon and has undergone
notable developments in the past decade.
Improving the Efficiency of Global Oversight and Documentation Systems for Child Recruitment in
Areas of Conflict within the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in South Africa is a crucial
initiative aimed at addressing the pressing issue of minors being recruited into armed groups in
conflict zones. By enhancing the effectiveness of monitoring and reporting mechanisms, UNODC can
better track and prevent the recruitment of children in these volatile regions. This effort involves
collaborating with local authorities, NGOs, and international partners to gather accurate data,
identify trends, and implement targeted interventions to protect vulnerable minors.

By strengthening these mechanisms, UNODC can ensure that accurate information is collected,
analyzed, and shared to inform policy decisions and interventions aimed at preventing the
exploitation of children in conflict settings. This comprehensive approach involves training local
stakeholders, establishing reporting channels, and conducting regular assessments to monitor
progress and address emerging challenges.

This is essential for promoting accountability, transparency, and protection for children caught in the
midst of armed conflicts. By investing in these initiatives, UNODC can contribute to the global efforts
to end the recruitment of minors into armed groups and provide support for their reintegration into
society. Through continuous monitoring, reporting, and collaboration with key stakeholders, UNODC
can make a significant impact in preventing the exploitation of children and ensuring their rights are
upheld in conflict-affected areas.