Armed groups using tactics like child soldier recruitment and sexual violence cause a sharper decline in school enrolment than general conflict.
Research across 30 sub-Saharan African countries shows that school enrolment drops by up to 9.5% in areas affected by violence against minors.
Girls are disproportionately impacted in conflict settings, with their likelihood of school enrolment dropping at twice the rate of boys.
Policy efforts to protect education in conflict zones must prioritize safe travel routes and active mitigation of child-targeted violence, not just school infrastructure.