Children's rights

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., 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 From biographies to landmark…, Historical documents and publications, Our vast collection of reports, data and other historical publications spans decades and is a key vehicle to influence policy and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  From flagship publications like the State of the World’s Children to our Annual Reports,  discover our historical documents .

COVID-19 is the first truly global crisis we have seen in our lifetime. No matter where we live, the pandemic affects every person – children most of all. Millions are missing out on basic health services, education and protection simply because they were born into poverty or because of their ethnicity, religion or race. COVID-19 has widened this…, 1: For vaccines to work, we must build trust, “ The growing anti-vaccination rhetoric is putting us at risk from deadly diseases that should have been eradicated completely in this day and age. No one should have to suffer from a disease that vaccines could safely prevent. No one. ” Ridhi, 20, Thailand Syringes and safety boxes, For vaccines to work, we must build trust,   History and science tell us vaccines are the best hope we have of ending this virus and rebuilding our lives and our livelihoods. Yet, as Ridhi reminds us, there is a real risk the  What you need to know about a COVID-19 vaccine COVID-19 vaccines  will not reach all who need it. Vaccine hesitancy will have a profound effect on our ability to…, 2: Bridging the digital divide can help bring quality education for all, “ I think this may be the perfect time for schools to listen to their students and find ways to improve their online learning facilities. Even after the pandemic passes, remote learning could be a valuable tool to making education accessible and flexible. ” Kamogelo, 18, South Africa, Bridging the digital divide can help bring quality education for all,   Kamogelo is right. During the peak of school closures in early 2020, about 30 per cent of the world’s schoolchildren were unable to access remote learning. In fact, only just over half of households in a majority of countries around the world have access to the internet. These are the same children who are already unlikely to have access to…, 3: COVID-19 has unlocked attention on global youth mental health, “ Why do we treat mental health as if it’s not a big deal? Why do we say to a person in grief that ‘you are just overthinking’? Why do we stereotype people having mental illness [as] being crazy?... It is time that we set aside these stereotypes and accept that mental health is as important as our physical health. ” Tulika, 18, India, COVID-19 has unlocked attention on global youth mental health,   Tulika is right: mental health is a big deal – just as important as physical health. This is especially true in childhood and adolescence, when we lay the foundations for our lifelong cognitive and learning ability, our emotional intelligence and our resilience in the face of stress. Again, the pandemic has highlighted just how vulnerable…, 4: COVID-19 does not discriminate, but our societies do, “ We must discard the belief that we're powerless and realize that we're infinitely powerful. ” Clover, 20, Australia, COVID-19 does not discriminate, but our societies do,   The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone on the planet, but it is not affecting us all equally. In too many countries, your ethnicity, your colour or your wealth, may make you more likely to suffer the consequences. For  example , in the United States, African Americans represent 13 per cent of the population but roughly one fourth of…, 5: Climate change is the other planetary crisis that won’t wait, “ A lot has changed for us since we cannot go out anymore and demand action, but that does not mean that the climate movement has been silenced…We cannot be silenced. The climate crisis is still on. It has not gone. It has not changed. ” Vanessa, 24, Uganda Black girl is holding a poster, Climate change is the other planetary crisis that won’t wait,   COVID-19 has taught us that planetary problems require planetary solutions. No one suffers more from a change in climate than a child. Children are vulnerable to the changes in the air they breathe, the water they drink and the food they eat. We know children are more vulnerable to life-threatening water and food scarcity and waterborne diseases…, A final word..., In  a public letter I wrote in  2019, I laid out my worries and hopes for the future of children and young people. Little did I know that a year on, a global pandemic would demonstrate, in dramatic fashion, how well-founded these worries would be. The bad news: As the crisis continues and the economic fallout deepens, we still have difficult days…

Rights of the Child, to name a few, entitle children to a good education, a safe home, the provision of basic needs such as food, clothing, housing and health, and protection from all kinds of danger. For the Convention to be effective, however, children need to understand the rights to which they are entitled. In Tajikistan, a survey conducted by…

UNICEF’s Europe and Central Asia Region (ECAR) is diverse and dynamic, comprising  23 countries  which range from low- to high-income, contain among the world’s largest and smallest populations, and are in various stages of the demographic transition. Children, adolescents, and youths in the region face unique challenges that have the potential to…, Extending Social Protection adequacy and coverage Strengthening social protection systems  Armenia , Moldova , North Macedonia , Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan   Improving the adequacy and coverage of child cash benefits  Rep. Srpska in Bosnia and Herzegovina , Kyrgyzstan , Moldova ,   Montenegro , Turkey , Kazakhstan   Advocating and awareness raising…, Realising Childrens Rights through Social Policy in Europe and Central AsiaA Compendium of UNICEFs Contributions (20142020) UNICEF/UN041694 This Compendium was written by Ian Orton, an independent consultant; and was commissioned and supervised by Pamela Dale (Regional Adviser, Social Policy, UNICEF ECARO) who provided overall leadership on the…

GENEVA, 18 September 2020 -  This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF  Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, and the Special Coordinator for the Refuge and Migrant Response in Europe  Afshan Khan -  – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's Human Rights Council’s Urgent Debate on Belarus.   "Madame President, "UNICEF…

The Milky Way Run is a humanitarian race organised by UNICEF Croatia in partnership with line ministries and other partners, focusing on raising awareness of the need to respect and enhance child rights. Between 2017 and 2019, the Milky Way Run became an important platform for raising awareness and mobilisation of resources needed for key…

In November 2019, around 40 representatives of urban local governments from 18 countries across Europe and Central Asia Region took part in the “Mayors for Children” meeting, hosted by the City of Athens, Greece. At the first-ever meeting of Mayors in the region that focused especially on programming results for the most excluded children and…

Good afternoon. Thank you for this opportunity to address the council today. Children’s rights are human rights. Central not only to children’s futures…but to the future of their communities and countries…and to humanity itself.   Last year, UNICEF — and the children of the world — marked a special milestone for these rights: the 30 th  …

GENEVA/KYIV, 2 December 2019 – Despite recent developments intending to protect the rights of children affected by eastern Ukraine’s more than five-year long conflict, nearly half a million girls and boys continue to face grave risks to their physical health and psychological well-being, said UNICEF today. “It is unconscionable that children in…

Aisuluu, 42, was abducted and forced to marry when she was just 17 years old while studying to be a teacher in Bishkek the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. Aisuluu, 42, was abducted and forced to marry when she was just 17 years old while studying to be a teacher in Bishkek the capital city of Kyrgyzstan. BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – She enters the room,…

NEW YORK, 20 November 2019 – “Today we mark a momentous day for child rights. On World Children’s Day and as we mark the 30 th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 105 Member States have aligned to a Global Pledge promising to renew their commitment to children’s rights.   “At the United Nations Headquarters…

World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children.  Every year, to mark the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), UNICEF advocates, raises awareness and raises funds for the most pressing issues facing children. Across the world, including in Europe and Central Asia, children will ‘take over’…, Turkmenistan renews its commitment to children’s rights, Turkmenistan’s Permanent Repesentative to the United Nations in New York, Ms. Aksoltan Atayeva, participated at the high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the 30th anniversary of the CRC at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The outcome of the one-day high-level meeting is a summary record of interventions from member states…, In North Macedonia, children take over a government meeting, In Skopje, six young advocates took over a high-level government discussion, and spoke passionately about what matters most to them:  Quality education, climate change, violence, unemployment, and the participation and engagement of young people in decision-making, among other issues. Throughout the capital on 20 November, buildings and other…, Turkey goes blue… and goes green!, In Turkey, 180 children from 81 provinces participated in a parliamentary session, during which they shared the declaration they had prepared during a 3-day National Children’s Forum. Also, more than 300 new trees were planted as part of UNICEF’s commitment to save the planet under the initiative, “Going Blue, Going Green!”  More than 70…, In Albania, kids demand the right to be heard, UNICEF teamed up with international development partners the EU Delegation in Albania , Save the Children, Terre Des Hommes, World Vision and Partners for Children to call for more investment to ensure that every child enjoys the right to a childhood. The celebrations were organized in Korça, an exemplary city for child-friendly policies. More…, Children report news in Croatia, In Zagreb, children took over the most popular news show RTL Direkt, with two high school students producing a special report from the Parliament. At the National Children Summit in the Croatian Parliament, young people presented 11 topics relevant for their future, followed by a discussion with Croatian parliamentarians. @ UNICEF/ Croatia In…, UNICEF Tajikistan launches national SDG programme for children, The National Summit for Children was held in Dushanbe in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The event was attended by government representatives, development partners, international organisations and children. UNICEF Tajikistan and the Government introduced the new National Program for Children 2020…, Kids take over radio and TV stations, In Bucharest, children took over television and radio stations where they brought their energy and creativity to drive change to better protect children’s rights. @ UNICEF/  Romania In Bucharest, children took over television and radio stations where they brought their energy and creativity to drive change to better protect children’s rights. In…, Jane Velkovski from North Macedonia speaks at the UNICEF summit in New York, Jane Velkovski, 11-year-old disability advocate from North Macedonia, joined UNICEF at a global summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. He delivered a strong message to the world leaders.  "My disability does not bother me, what bothers me are the barriers in the environment.” Jane Velkovski Jane Velkovski Jane Velkovski, Kids takeover across Montenegro , In Montenegro, there was a children’s takeover of the official residence of the President of Montenegro Milo Dukanović. Young people discussed the children’s rights with the President, who highlighted the crucial role of school and the family in combating violence against children.  Other institutions “taken over” by children included the National…, Celebrating 30 Years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child at the United Nations in Geneva, Young people, civil society organizations, Government officials, child rights activists and others marked the 30 th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child on World Children's Day in Geneva.  The commemorations focused on the current state of children’s rights and what can be done to ensure every child and young person's rights…, Children learn from older students in Tbilisi , A few schools in Tbilisi participated in UNICEF’s #KidsTakeOver initiatives. High school students organized lessons for their younger schoolmates, carried out interesting experiments and taught them first aid. Children teach at school Children teach other children, The Acropolis goes blue, The Acropolis in Athens Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the world’s most iconic ancient monuments, has gone blue as a symbol to protect children’s rights. This is the first time ever that the Acropolis has been lit in colour. Acropolis blue for UNICEF's World Children's Day The Acropolis in Athens is lit blue for UNICEF's World…, Nur-Sultan Kazakhstan goes blue for World Children's Day, Buildings along the central river embankment in Nur-Sultan Kazakhstan have gone blue as a symbol to protect children’s rights. Buildings along the central river embankment in Nur-Sultan Kazakhstan have gone blue as a symbol to protect children’s rights. UNICEF/ Kazakhstan Buildings along the central river embankment in Nur-Sultan Kazakhstan have…, In Italy, young people meet with President Sergio Mattarella, A delegation of young people in Italy met with President Sergio Mattarella at Quirinale in Rome. The delegation included four young migrants and refugees, David Joseph from Nigeria, Bassirou Dembele from Mali,  Kader Diabate from Ivory Coast and Hannah Imordi from Ivory Coast. Kader presented President Mattarella with the book he wrote called "…, In Geneva, To mark the 2019 World Children’s Day, Geneva’s iconic Jet d’eau went blue. Famous landmarks around the world are ‘going blue’ as powerful reminders of the importance of protecting children’s rights.  To mark the 2019 World Children’s Day, Geneva’s iconic Jet d’eau went blue., UNICEF Kosovo* mobilize children to take over one of the biggest boulevards in Pristina, The UNICEF Kosovo* office mobilized primary school children to take over one of the biggest boulevards in Pristina. Hundreds of children celebrated their rights and engaged through play and singing with UNICEF staff, teachers and parents. Hundreds of children take over the main boulevard in Prishtina, the capital of Kosovo for CRC@30. UNICEF/…, UNICEF Serbia raises $65,000 in special concert marking 30 Years of the Convention, UNICEF Serbia marked the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child with a benefit concert that included performances by the famous children’s choir Kolibri, and world-renowned violinists, Stefan Milenkovic and Nemanja Radulovic. All proceeds will be used to support preschool education in the country. @UNICEF…, In Turkmenistan, children participate in national team’s football match, At the FIFA World Cup Qualifying match between Turkmenistan and Sri Lanka in Ashgabat, children accompanied players onto the field and a special announcement was made to mark World Children’s Day and the 30th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children in Turkmenistan participate in the national team’s football match.…, Children take over Ukraine’s Parliament, In a historic first, children took over the Parliament in Ukraine just ahead of World Children’s Day on 18 November, 2019.  That was the first time children were given the floor in the session hall of Verkhovna Rada (Parliamentar) in front of 450 Members of Parliament. Fifteen-year-old Lidia from Lviv delivered a speech about the importance of…