The problem of child soldiers in South Asia is a deeply complex and distressing issue that intersects with armed conflict, poverty, political instability, and social marginalization. In several countries of the region, including Nepal, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and parts of Pakistan and India, armed groups have historically exploited children for combat, intelligence gathering, and support roles. These children, often under the age of 18, are forcibly recruited, coerced, or sometimes voluntarily join armed groups due to socio-economic pressures, lack of educational opportunities, or perceived protection from violence. The use of child soldiers not only violates fundamental human rights but also leaves long-lasting physical, psychological, and social scars on the children involved. One of the central drivers of child soldiering in South Asia is prolonged conflict. In countries like Nepal during the Maoist insurgency (1996–2006), children were recruited by both state-aligned and rebel forces to serve as combatants, messengers, and porters. These children were often separated from their families and communities, exposed to extreme violence, and trained in military tactics at a young age. Similarly, in Afghanistan, decades of civil war created an environment where armed groups targeted vulnerable children, often exploiting economic hardship, displacement, and family loss. In Sri Lanka, the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) notoriously recruited children into armed roles, promising security, social identity, or ideological commitment. The combination of political instability and ongoing conflict made children particularly vulnerable to recruitment. Poverty and lack of access to education are significant factors that increase the risk of child soldiering. In rural areas where families struggle to meet basic needs, children may be lured by promises of food, shelter, or a sense of belonging. Economic deprivation also forces families to make difficult choices, sometimes allowing their children to join armed groups to ensure survival. Illiteracy and limited educational infrastructure exacerbate this problem by leaving children with few alternatives for development, making military life appear as one of the only viable options. Children often perceive joining armed