What factors must be identified for monitoring? 

The monitoring of this protection risks should look at the recruitment of person and the identification of any forceful act compelling the person to join armed forces, and when the person expressed will under coercion or the threat of any harm. In relation to children, recruitment and use might be forced or appear voluntary, but must be adequately monitored and reported. Boys and girls might suffer extensive forms of exploitation and abuse, including gender-based violence. Children become part of an armed force or group for various reasons. Some are abducted, threatened, coerced or manipulated by armed actors. Others are driven by poverty, compelled to generate income for their families. Others associate themselves for survival, to protect their communities or for social status. Their participation in conflict bears serious implications for their physical and emotional well-being, and for their development. They are commonly subject to abuse and most of them witness death, killing, and sexual violence, or are forced to commit violent acts. The reintegration of these children into civilian life is an essential part of the work to help them cope with their past experience, rebuild their lives and frame the conditions for a successful reintegration into society.

What information & data can illustrate the presence of the risk? 

Resolution 1612 of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and its monitoring and reporting mechanisms (MRM) provides for the systematic gathering of accurate, timely, objective and reliable information on six grave violations committed against children in situations of armed conflict, including the recruitment and use of children by armed forces and armed groups. The information gathered through the MRM is used in United Nations reporting, including the annual report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict and country-specific reports. These reports trigger action by the Security Council and other actors. In countries in which the MRM has not been activated by the Security Council, data and information on forced recruitment and children associated with armed forces and armed groups may be obtained from the following: in-country studies or specialised assessments, existing data bases and records, non-specialist KIIs providing information on whether they are aware of forced recruitments (making sure to not publish estimated numbers or locations); HHs surveys (providing a proper risk assessment and solid identification on whether the data can be published); specialized FGDs or expert interviews that can provide valuable information on the underlying drivers and locations of recruitment. It is important to always conduct a risk assessment, as it is very sensitive information that could do harm to respondents and their communities.

You can download the definition here.