In this paper Mckay, Robinson and colleagues successfully outline the considerable challenges facing girl mothers leaving fighting forces who seek to reintegrate into their communities in southern and western Africa. Often stigmatised and rejected by their communities, these girls struggle to find ways to earn a living to support themselves and their children in the face of economic and sexual exploitation. The paper derives from a conference held on girl mothers. It is based on participatory research and papers presented there, and on the ensuing workshop discussions.