The Reintegration of Former Child Combatants Is Not Child's Play: Agency and Empowerment in the Processes of Children and Adolescents Disengaged from the Armed Conflict
Evaluation of the reintegration process for former child combatants in the ICBF's Hogar Tutor program, analyzing the strengthening of agency and empowerment of children and adolescents disengaged from the armed conflict.
Conflicto Armado, Reintegración, Menores Excombatientes, Políticas Públicas
Abstract
The objective of this research was to evaluate whether the reintegration process for minors under the Foster Home modality of the Colombian Institute for Family Welfare (ICBF) strengthened children and adolescents as agents and fostered spaces for empowerment, so that they could develop their life projects according to their needs and expectations. Through semi-structured interviews with individuals directly involved in the minors' process, the study contrasted what the policy guidelines establish with what actually happens in practice during reintegration. The findings revealed a disconnect between the established objectives, the expected outcomes of the modality, and the needs of the beneficiaries. Finally, recommendations are proposed focused on defining objectives and executing implementation from a demand-driven approach — that is, based on what the children and adolescents need and expect.