Children Born of War: The Long Road to Recognition

For some children, the scars of war are present from the very beginning of life.

Children born of war are found in virtually every conflict worldwide. Most are born to local women and fathered by members of enemy forces. Some of these relationships are consensual – occasionally even rooted in love. Many, however, are the result of rape.

Across contexts, these children carry the burden of a complex and often violent history, as well as stigma that frequently follows them into adulthood. For decades, societies have struggled to acknowledge their existence, let alone protect their rights.

Today, that is slowly beginning to change.

In June 2025, Ukraine took a decisive step by criminalising war crimes against children – crimes that became particularly prevalent following Russia’s invasion. Yet globally, the path to recognition and justice remains long.

In this special episode of PRIO’s Peace in a Pod, Arnaud Siad speaks with Ajna Jusić, a Bosnian human rights activist and founder of the Forgotten Children of War Association. Ajna’s advocacy helped secure a landmark moment in 2023, when Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Law on the Protection of Civilian Victims of War, formally recognising children born of war as a distinct social category with equal rights.

She is joined by Lejla Damon, spokesperson for the organisation, who speaks to the situation of children born of war in Bosnia and internationally.

The conversation also includes Inger Skjelsbæk, Professor at the University of Oslo and Research Professor at PRIO, and leader of the EuroWARCHILD project, which examines the experiences, rights, and needs of children born of war across Europe.

Ajna and Lejla were in Oslo to receive the University of Oslo Human Rights Award on behalf of the Forgotten Children of War Association – and to share their personal experiences, research, and ongoing fight for recognition, justice, and dignity.

PRIO’s Peace in a Pod is hosted by Arnaud Siad.

Photo: Getty Images/Derek Hudson.

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