Although the use of child soldiers is universally condemned, hundreds of thousands of children worldwide are still used in situations of armed conflict. Child soldiers are defined as those under the age of 18 who have been part of any kind of regular or irregular armed force in any capacity. More than simply referring to armed combatants, this definition includes those recruited to be cooks, messengers or scouts. It also includes girls who are taken as "wives" for older soldiers, or for sexual purposes. Child soldiers are usually treated harshly and are exposed to danger and face many kinds of trauma, having to witness and commit atrocities, as well as being separated from their families and abused. Girls face the added trauma, health issues and social stigma that follow sexual abuse.

Heartland Alliance is working to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of child soldiers in Burundi and Sri Lanka, in projects called Female Former Child Soldier Reintegration and Enhancing Livelihood Opportunities for Former Child Soldiers in Sri Lanka.