Sixteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

Research suggests that children and young people affected by armed conflict in the developing world are rehabilitated mainly through institutional arrangements. This paper further investigates the possible attention that the agency of those affected receives, at any given point of the process. The study applies the capabilities approach as the theoretical model. It goes with the understanding that when capabilities and choices are embodied by a child or the young, it results in rehabilitative mechanisms that are more resilient and constructive. The empirical knowledge is established through interviews with children who have been affected by the ongoing conflict in Chhattisgarh in India and are put in various institutions as part of the rehabilitation process. The findings suggest that the rehabilitative measures adopted by the State are implemented in a uniform manner across various categories of children and the young. Combined with this, the agency of those institutionalized is neglected resulting in a contradictions between the ‘functionings’ (e.g. doing decision making) and their ‘capabilities’ (e.g. being conscious of the situation), resulting in arrangements that are bound to fall short. Based on this analysis, the drawbacks of the rehabilitation process in the state are discussed. The suggestions made in the paper shall aid in future policy initiatives and for the holistic resilience of those affected.

Presenters

Moksha Singh
Assistant Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology Raipur, India, Chhattisgarh, India