Children's rights

NIAMEY/DAKAR/GENEVA/NEW YORK, 18 August 2021 - “UNICEF is deeply shocked and outraged by the terrible attacks against children and families by unidentified armed groups in the village of Darey-dey, in the rural commune of Banibangou, Tillabery region, in western Niger that took place on 16 August 2021. “We are saddened to confirm that at least 37…

Woman wears dark blue jacked and poses in front of lighter blue background. © UNICEF/UN0796729/McIlwaine Natalia Winder Rossi, Director, Social Policy and Social Protection, Programme Group Full credit must be given. Natalia Winder Rossi became the Director of Social Policy and Social Protection at UNICEF Headquarters in New York in May 2020. She…, Resources for the press, Media contacts See UNICEF's range media contacts, available as communications resources for press colleagues. Press centre Browse our extensive resources for journalists and media, showcasing UNICEF's efforts around the world. Experts Talk to our leading experts, available for commentary on child health, nutrition, protection, water, sanitation,…, More UNICEF to explore

In 2019, at the 25th Conference of the Parties (COP25) in Madrid, a group of world leaders joined youth activists in a historic moment — to sign an Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action. This is the first-of-its-kind commitment to accelerate inclusive, child and youth-centered climate policies and action at national…, The Declaration, Considering  that children face heightened and specific risks due to climate change, that these impacts are already occurring, and that the most disadvantaged and marginalized children bear the heaviest burden; Acknowledging  the global leadership and calls of children and young people for urgent and immediate climate action, as well as their…, Signatories, Albania Guyana Micronesia Slovenia Andorra Honduras Monaco South Africa Armenia Hungary Montenegro Spain Bangladesh Iraq The Netherlands St. Lucia Belgium Jamaica Nigeria Suriname Benin Jordan North Macedonia Sweden Bulgaria Kyrgyzstan Norway Ukraine Chile Libya Palau Uruguay Costa Rica Luxembourg Panama Uzbekistan Denmark Malawi Peru Venezuela…, Other partners, Korean Parliamentarian Friends of UNICEF Scotland > Back to menu, Frequently asked questions, What is the Declaration?, The Declaration was launched in December 2019 during COP25 , at a high-level event convened by the COP25 Presidency of the Government of Chile in Madrid, Spain. UNICEF, in collaboration with YOUNGO and the Children’s Environmental Rights Initiative coalition (CERI), supported the Presidency, champion governments and young people from around the…, Why is the Declaration important?, The Declaration represents a first-of-its-kind set of commitments by States to consistently consider children’s specific needs, rights and perspectives in their climate policies and action at all levels. This comprehensive framework seeks to respond to the fact that that the climate crisis is a child rights crisis, while also recognizing the…, How many countries have signed?, For the latest list, please refer to the Signatories section., Can the Declaration be changed?, The Declaration is based on priorities identified by children and youth themselves, and consensus on the text was reached by the champion governments that launched the Declaration in 2019. In 2021, feedback received from Member States was accepted by YOUNGO. The Declaration text is therefore considered closed at this stage, however an annex to the…, Is there any additional guidance to accompany the Declaration?, Yes, an annex has been developed to provide supporting guidance for taking forward operationalization of the Declaration’s commitments. This guidance is intended to provide more context, information, and supporting resources/tools where available. It also seeks to address additional comments and suggestions received from signatory States to…, How can our government sign?, Your Government can sign by sending a scanned copy of the signed Declaration to climate@unicef.org and the CERI Secretariat at secretariat@childrenvironment.org . You will receive a confirmation email from UNICEF. You are also kindly invited to identify a focal point and contact details for follow-up., What happens next?, Once confirmation is received, your Government will be included on the list of Member State signatories on the Declaration webpage of the co-custodians. We will announce your commitment on social media and showcase your alignment during key moments and events around the world. We invite you to announce this news through your own channels as well,…, How will progress be monitored?, As your Government takes steps to operationalize the Declaration, please share developments and plans with us so that we can bring visibility to exemplary work. We encourage you to make the Declaration visible on your Government website, and to inform/engage relevant stakeholders, for example through events at the national level, as suggested…, Resources, Publisher Title UNICEF   Children displaced in a changing climate UNICEF   An Environment Fit for Children: UNICEF’s Approach to Climate Change UNICEF   Healthy Environments for Healthy Children: Global Programme Framework UNICEF The coldest year of the rest of their lives

As the world faced multiple crises — natural disasters, climate change, rising poverty and inequality that affect the most vulnerable and the COVID-19 pandemic — UNICEF took a leading role in ensuring global recovery, challenging systemic inequity around the world and prioritizing investments for children., 2010 , A magnitude 7 earthquake kills nearly 160,000 people and displaces more than 1 million people from their homes in Haiti. UNICEF leads the international response on behalf of children. A mother receives antibiotics at a medical tent for displaced earthquake survivors in Jacmel. Haiti, 2010. Haiti, 2010: A mother receives antibiotics at a medical…, 2012, In joining the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), UNICEF commits to greater transparency in all its work, so that its methods can be understood. UNICEF hosts the first Forum of the Global Partnership on Children with Disabilities. A child delegate is interviewed. United States, 2012: A child delegate is interviewed at the Forum of…, 2014, UNICEF launches the first version of UNICEF Innovation RapidPro – an open-source platform for sharing real-time data across health, education and youth engagement platforms. A health worker checks cholera alerts from RapidPro on a mobile phone. Burundi, 2015: A health worker checks cholera alerts from RapidPro on a mobile phone in Nyanza Lac. On…, 2015, Mobile technology makes the distribution of medicine and supplies faster and more accurate. This becomes especially important during the Ebola crisis in West Africa.   The UNICEF Office of Innovation inspires new and creative approaches, partnerships and technologies that can improve the lives of children. Adolescent girls read text messages.…, 2016, UNICEF is at the forefront of fighting Zika virus, which causes microcephaly in the womb and can impair the physical and intellectual development of babies.  A mother holding her baby up. Brazil, 2016. Alice (15) holds her 4-month old baby born with microcephaly in Recife., 2018, Generation Unlimited, a global partnership of policy-makers, CEOs, civic leaders, and philanthropists is launched at the United Nations General Assembly. It’s aim is to expand education, vocational training, and employment opportunities for young people. Generation Unlimited logo UNICEF, 2019, More than 1.5 million children in Mozambique, Malawi and Zimbabwe are left without homes, schools, health centres, food or protection in the wake of Cyclone Idai. UNICEF brings safe water and sanitation kits, vaccination and screening for malnutrition, and psychosocial support them. A boy carries an infant Mozambique, 2019. Helcio Filipe Antonio…, 2020, As the COVID-19 pandemic grips the world, UNICEF plays a key role in the United Nations’ global response to the crisis and as part of the global vaccine distribution plan — COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX). We are leading efforts to procure and supply COVID-19 vaccines so that all countries have fair and equitable access to the…

Children have always been the first victims of war. Worldwide, armed conflict and other violence have upended the lives of hundreds of millions of children, leaving them displaced, undernourished, out of school and at severe risk of exploitation and abuse. Nearly 1 in 5 children today live in settings affected by armed conflict and war. A surge in…, Voices for peace, UNICEF UNICEF, UNICEF’s response, UNICEF is on the ground and at the policy table in places affected by conflict and fragility. We protect the rights of children and young people by supporting countries to build more resilient, inclusive, and peaceful societies. Our peacebuilding approach puts children at the centre, strengthening social cohesion within communities, building…, Peacebuilding in action, Resources, UNICEF Conflict Sensitivity & Peacebuilding Programming Guide UNICEF Guide to Conflict Analysis UNICEF Programme Framework for Fragile Contexts UNICEF and Sustaining Peace: Strengthening the Socio-Economic Foundations of Peace through Education, Young People’s Engagement and WASH UNICEF Local Governance & Peacebuilding Case Studies UNICEF…

NIAMEY, Niger, 14 April 2021 - “UNICEF is deeply saddened by the loss of life after a fire enveloped a school in Niamey, Niger killing more than 20 children. “Our hearts are with the impacted children and families, especially those who lost their loved ones. "We express our deep sympathy to the victims, families and communities affected by this…

As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the progress made in recognizing children’s rights, we must also reflect on the unfinished agenda and emphasize the continuing obligations of governments to guarantee special safeguards for children, specific to their needs and vulnerabilities. The lives of…

Seventy-four years after UNICEF was established and 31 years since the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the organization’s mission to promote the full attainment of the rights of all children is as urgent as ever.  The UNICEF Strategic Plan 2018-2021 is anchored in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and charts a course…, In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed an era-defining challenge which has put a sobering spotlight on inequalities in every country, laying bare the increasing risk to children growing up in poverty, exclusion or conflict.  The most harmful effects have fallen on the poorest countries and communities. Those that were already marginalized and…, Ending child poverty by 2030, Icon representing poverty - child with an empty bowl 1 in 6 children in the world is living in extreme poverty Icon representing children - boy and girl holding hands Nearly 20% of children under 5 are extremely poor, compared to 7.9% of adults Icon representing chart - bar graph 1.2 billion children are estimated to be multidimensionally poor, up…, Child poverty in fragile contexts, While COVID-19 has had fundamental impacts on increasing child poverty, underlying threats of conflict, fragility and climate change are also crucial long-term drivers. About 40 percent of children who live in fragile and conflict-affected countries live in extreme poverty compared to 15 percent of children in other countries. With the impacts of…, Public finance for children, Icon representing government building - building with flag flying In 124 UNICEF country offices as part of the COVID-19 response, UNICEF worked with governments, development partners and International Financial Institutions to protect and leverage resources for children  Icon representing country office - shape of undefined country In 119…, Making public spending on children’s rights more efficient and effective, The COVID-19 crisis has created major pressure on public budgets and social sector spending as governments faced decreased revenues and increased pressure on spending for pandemic response. Focusing on efficiency and effectiveness of public budgets during the COVID-19 response and recovery has been key to ensure the sustainability of social sector…, Strengthening social protection systems, Icon representing cash transfer - hands protecting child 115 countries were supported with building inclusive and shock-responsive social protection systems supporting emergency responses Icon representing children - boy and girl holding hands Over 130.7 million children in 93 countries were reached through UNICEF-supported cash transfer…, UNICEF's support to build social protection systems, Supporting childcare and adolescent employability, UNICEF works towards enhancing quality childcare services and family-friendly policies, particularly for working mothers; and improving access to employment, job-placement and skills-development programmes for adolescents and youth. COVID-19 further increased the care burden on women and adolescent girls given that schools, childcare centres and…, Linking humanitarian cash transfers to social protection systems, Children in fragile and humanitarian contexts face additional vulnerabilities and strengthening social protection in these contexts is particularly important. For the first time, UNICEF has included social protection in its Core Commitments for Children in humanitarian contexts and worked in almost 80 countries to help ensure their social…, Promoting positive gender norms and socialization, Icon representing social norms - a man and a woman with a rainbow over their heads 49 UNICEF country programmes carried out interventions to confront gender-discriminatory roles and norms and promote positive gender socialization Icon representing children without parental care - two protective hands around a heart An estimated 2.6 million mothers…, Supporting children with disabilities to reach their full potential, Icon representing children with disabilities - child in a wheelchair 2.2 million children with disabilities across 144 countries reached with UNICEF disability-inclusive development and humanitarian programmes  Icon representing computer connected to the internet Over 152,000 children provided with assistive technology (AT) and accessible products…, Furthering inclusive education, Disability-inclusive education means that all children and adolescents with disabilities can enjoy their right to education on an equal basis with their peers. UNICEF works with partners to promote accessible and inclusive learning spaces and materials. More importantly, it works with teachers and school administrations to promote inclusive…, Reducing stigma and invisibility through advocacy and communication, Stigma and discrimination are key barriers to inclusion of girls and boys with disabilities. UNICEF works to transform attitudes and social norms around disability to support the full inclusion of children with disabilities in society. The COVID-19 crisis shifted many priorities and created an urgent need for inclusive Risk-Communication and…, Supporting adolescents to engage in shaping their future, Icon representing skills development - pencil and wrench 7.7 million children over 3.2 million girls – participated in UNICEF-supported skills development, empowerment and employability training programmes  Icon representing gender quality - male and femal symbols with equals symbol 61 countries supported to institutionalize gender-equitable…, Building skills and capacities of adolescents, UNICEF approaches skills-building by strengthening systems to integrate life skills into education systems, using community platforms to reach the most disadvantaged, working with adults to support adolescents and young people, applying experiential and innovative approaches, and using digital platforms. YuWaah - Generation Unlimited India YuWaah…, Looking forward, A young woman standing in a classroom in front of a blackboard A boy standing in front of solar panels and waving A girl standing in front of a white wall with colourful butterflies and flowers painted on it UNICEF will define its next Strategic Plan in 2021 addressing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic while contributing to accelerate the…, With thanks, This report highlights the achievements made possible by the generous contributions of softly earmarked thematic funding received from various partners. UNICEF would like to express it's sincere appreciation for these contributions. June 2021, Global Annual Results Report 2020 GOAL AREA 5 Every child has an equitable chance in life Cover image: UNICEF/UNI389019/Mussap Telma Paz, 36 years old, and her children, 11, 9 and 4 years old, benefit from the Bono Familia programme granted by the Government of Guatemala, with support from UNICEF and the World Bank. Telma sells pancakes and works…

For 75 years, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has been working tirelessly for child rights and for the well-being of every child. Whoever they are. Wherever they live. UNICEF has been an unstoppable force for change in the lives of children around the world. Since UNICEF was established, in the aftermath of World War II, we have been…, Working for every child, Join the journey, A mission that evolves with the changing situation of children, UNICEF history, From emerging crises to invisible ones When the world’s most vulnerable children have needed a champion, UNICEF has been there.  From short-term relief during armed conflict, natural disasters and humanitarian crises to long-term survival and development programmes, we have helped build resilient health and welfare systems across the globe. We…, Reimagining the world for every child, The world faces multiple crises today — the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, widespread social and economic challenges and rising poverty and inequality. These challenges impact us all, but they hit the most vulnerable children the hardest. A child rights crisis is upon us.  With disruption comes opportunity. Just as we rebuilt from the ruins of…

BANGKOK, 4 March 2021 – As the crisis in Myanmar escalates, the number of children killed, wounded or arbitrarily detained by security forces continues to grow. As of 3    March, at least five children and multiple young people and adults have reportedly been killed; at least four children have been severely wounded. In addition to those killed or…

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established in 1946, in the aftermath of World War II. Our mandate was clear: to help children and young people whose lives and futures were at risk – no matter what role their country had played in the war. What mattered to UNICEF was reaching every child in need, protecting…, A fairer world for every child, The story of UNICEF is a story of how much good the human family can do when it unites to protect the rights of its youngest and most vulnerable citizens. We bring 75 years of field-tested expertise, a network that spans the globe, a passion for innovation, dynamic partnerships, and a commitment to making every dollar count. As we look back, we…, UNICEF through the decades, For 75 years, UNICEF’s mission has evolved with the needs of children around the world. Browse our timeline and discover our work through the decades. In 2021, as the world faced new crises, UNICEF marched into its 75 th year. We paused to reflect on our past while reimagining a better future for every child., The faces, the voices, The story of UNICEF is that of every child we reach. It is also reflected in the people who have relentlessly served and supported our organization. This is the story of committed people who have provided critical resources, time and encouragement to build an environment where children can grow up protected, healthy and educated. Be they our…, The Archives, For 75 years, UNICEF has collected records, items and leading research that document our story as well as that of the world. The UNICEF Archives, located in our New York Headquarters, houses material that captures UNICEF’s global field operations – from our founding in the aftermath of World War II through today. From biographies to landmark…, Historical documents and publications, Our vast collection of reports, data and other historical publications spans decades and is a key vehicle to influence policy and decision-making.  From flagship publications like the State of the World’s Children to our Annual Reports, discover our historical documents .

UNICEF research and publications have become synonymous with advocating for the rights of children. Aside from being critical vehicles that promote policy discussion and guide decision-making, they showcase our efforts and those of our partners on behalf of children. From flagship publications to documents of historical interest, discover…, The evolution (1946–2016), Commemorating UNICEF’s steps through history, the following milestone series showcases how the cause of children has evolved since World War II. These historical reviews explore our contribution against a backdrop of rapid global changes in social, political and economic affairs. UNICEF@40 cover image UNICEF-at-40 UNICEF at 40 years Cover page of…, The State of the World's Children, Thanks to our historical body of knowledge, UNICEF has an unprecedented view on The State of the World’s Children – also the name of UNICEF’s annual flagship publication that covers the most important issues affecting children, year by year. The reports, from the first publication in 1980 to our latest, can be downloaded here ., UNICEF Annual Reports, The UNICEF Annual Report spotlights significant results achieved by UNICEF and its partners each year on behalf of children around the world. UNICEF’s Annual Reports from 1972 to 1999 are available here . For our most recent Annual Reports, visit our Publications Hub ., World Summit for Children, The World Summit for Children was a landmark event for UNICEF and the world. Held in September 1990, 71 heads of state adopted a declaration on the survival, protection and development of children, and a plan of action for implementation in the 1990s. The declaration and plan of action from the World Summit for Children is laid out in the booklet…, The Progress of Nations, The Progress of Nations charts the advances made since the 1990 World Summit for Children. Each edition challenged countries to fulfill their promises to children. Read more and download the Progress of Nations series (1997-2000) ., Looking for more?, Visit the UNICEF Archives UNICEF Archives  to explore our collection of resources, artifacts and other materials that document UNICEF's history of protecting children's rights. For the latest publications and reports from UNICEF, visit our Research and Reports Hub .