Childhood in the maelstrom of war: critical reflections on forced recruitment in Jambaló and the role of Social Work (2024-2026)

Abstract

The document examines the increase in the forced recruitment of children and adolescents in Colombia between 2024 and 2026, with a particular focus on the municipality of Jambaló (Cauca). This phenomenon is a response to structural vulnerabilities, such as poverty, educational exclusion, and limited state presence, within a context of territorial disputes among armed groups. Additionally, from a critical perspective within social work, the reproduction of epistemic injustices stemming from the translation of children’s experiences into adult-centered frameworks is called into question, as this contributes to rendering their work invisible. The concept of “dual victimization” is also introduced to describe the situation of child recruits. This editorial proposes actions grounded in a decolonial approach, including the strengthening of Indigenous autonomy, cultural and linguistic revitalization, the integration of ancestral knowledge, and youth participation in memory-building processes. It is concluded that social work must adopt a critical approach focused on recognizing local knowledge and institutional transformation.