Europe and Central Asia

About, Immunization allows children everywhere to live lives free of many forms of disability and illness. UNICEF's  The State of the World’s Children 2023 highlights the current situation of immunization for children globally. UNICEF's regional brief for Europe and Central Asia demonstrate that public demand, scientific innovations and – perhaps above…, Immunization coverage in Europe and Central Asia, Europe and Central Asia has the highest immunization coverage rates in the world. However, the pandemic set back immunization coverage. Girl receiving a HPV vaccine. UNICEF/UN0687610/Babajanyan VII Photo Nearly one million children in Europe and Central Asia missed all or some routine vaccinations between 2019 and 2021. Many of these children…, Understanding zero-dose, ‘Zero-dose’ and ‘under-vaccinated’ have become key concepts in explaining immunization coverage. Among children who missed one or several routine vaccinations in the region, 327,400 are “zero-dose” and “under-vaccinated” children, meaning they have either not received any vaccines or the third required dose of the diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT…, Disruptions to vaccination, The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still being felt 3-month-old gets vaccinated in Tajikistan UNICEF/UN0635918/Babajanyan VII Photo The pandemic caused immense disruption to health services globally, including immunization. Across Europe and Central Asia, as in other parts of the world, several clinics were closed, the distribution of syringes…, Vaccine confidence, Using behavioural insights to understand and identify barriers to immunization and address vaccine hesitancy. In 29 countries in Europe and Central Asia Region, there was a decrease in the perception of the importance of vaccines for children. Among the 29 countries, Croatia experienced the greatest decline in confidence in childhood vaccines,…, Immunization trends, Despite undeniable progress over many decades, we continue to face critical challenges in immunization. Nurse shows vaccination calendar UNICEF/UN0760644/Babajanyan VII Photo Other key data on immunization in Europe and Central Asia featured in the report include: The highest prevalence of zero-dose children is among mothers with primary education…, Taking action, Here is a set of concrete and actionable recommendations to reach every child with vaccines and to ensure that immunization and primary health-care systems are ready to meet future challenges. UNICEF is calling on governments to double-down on their commitment to increase financing for immunization and to work with stakeholders to unlock available…

Mayors from across Europe and Central Asia region have pledged support to make their municipalities work better for children and young people. UNICEF has partnered with these municipalities and local authorities to prioritize: More disaggregated data and evidence on the most vulnerable and marginalized children, and the neighborhoods in which they…

The escalation of the war in Ukraine in February 2022 changed everything overnight. It robbed children and families in Ukraine of everything that was “normal” for them. Seeing the huge numbers of mainly women and children fleeing their country did not leave anyone cold. Slovakia responded quickly, effectively, and compassionately. Volunteers,…

UNICEF, UNHCR and IOM have launched an online course,  "How to provide first support to survivors of gender-based violence", an adaptation to the European context based on the inter-agency Pocket Guide “ How to support survivors of GBV when a GBV actor is not available in your area. ”   The objective of the online course is to strengthen the…

1. Myth? Breastfeeding is easy. Babies are born with the reflex to look for their mother’s breast. However, many mothers need practical support with positioning their baby for breastfeeding and making sure their baby is correctly attached to the breast. Breastfeeding takes time and practice for both mothers and babies. Breastfeeding is also time…

Integrated social protection systems can reduce multi-dimensional poverty, (both monetary poverty and other vulnerabilities), empowering families and individuals and contributing to achievement of  Sustainable Development Goal 1, End poverty in all its forms everywhere . The ‘Integrated Social Protection Systems: Review of Different Approaches in…, Integrated Social Protection Systems in Europe and Central Asia, Photographer's daughter Kaja (7) learns how to sew with her eight-seven-year-old great-grandfather Trache in the tailors workshop they have in their family home. Kaja wants to learn how to sew dresses for her dolls. UNICEF North Macedonia/2020/Georgiev Photographer's daughter Kaja (7) learns how to sew with her eight-seven-year-old great-…, Social protection in Europe and Central Asia

The current case study describes several countries’ response to the UNICEF ECA Regional Office’s request to provide feedback on the dissemination and utilisation of the Technical Note. Key  findings 1. All sixteen countries [1]  that provided feedback mentioned that the Technical Note was timely and that it provided a strong basis and guidance to…

The health risks faced by refugee and migrant children, More than 1.3 million children have made their way to Europe since 2014, fleeing conflict, persecution and poverty in their own countries. They include at least 225,000 children travelling alone – most of them teenage boys – as well as 500,000 children under the age of five. In 2019 alone, almost 32,000 children (8,000 of them unaccompanied or…, Rising to the challenge: the ‘RM Child-Health’ initiative, EU health In response to this challenge, the European Union Directorate General for Health and Food Safety is working with UNICEF to help ensure that refugee and migrant children and their families have access to quality health care and essential  health information in six countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Serbia and…, Project achievements, Voices from the field, Newsletters, Newsletter 1 Newsletter 2 Newsletter 3 The content of this webpage represents the views of the author(s) only and is his/her sole responsibility; it cannot be considered to reflect the views of the European Commission and/or the Consumers, Health, Agriculture and Food Executive Agency or any other body of the European Union. The European…

Introduction, UNICEF is leading the preparation of the Statistical Manual for a Core Set of Child Protection Indicators in Europe and Central Asia that offers National Statistical Offices (NSOs), line Ministries and other child protection authorities and stakeholders, the practical guidance and tools for the collection of child protection data that is essential…, Set of Indicators, The current version of the manual was developed as a refinement of the TransMonEE database indicators’ and its manual, and is the result of an extensive desk review, and several consultations within UNICEF, governments and NSOs in the region, and with some external partners. During the TransMonEE  meeting held in Vienna, 26-27 November 2019, it…, Target audience, Child protection is defined as preventing and responding to violence, exploitation and abuse of children. Child protection data needs are driven by the goals, objectives and targets set out in international and national legal and policy frameworks and cross-country agreements pertaining to the protection of children. This Manual recognizes the…, Purpose, The data and information generated by the proposed child protection indicators should be used by national governments, regional and local authorities, academia, civil society actors and other key stakeholders to: monitor policy and practice improvements at all levels; help to identify the protection needs of children and the necessary prevention…, Indicators, Lana Darbinyan sleeps soundly in her family's home in Yerevan. Alternative Care & Adoption One of the main data needs in alternative care is to know how many children are in this situation, and why are they placed in alternative care. > Learn more about definitions > Go to the set of indicators UniSat Nanosatellites Program for Girls…

Лана Дарбинян крепко спит в своем доме в Ереване. Children in alternative care  UniSat Nanosatellites Program for Girls Access to justice  Grade eight students practice reading at secondary school Violence against children  > CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE GENERAL DEFINITIONS, Children in alternative care, In line with child protection priorities of the region, the main data needs on children in alternative care and adoption are: knowing how many children are in alternative care, by type of care arrangement; knowing how many children are formally adopted during the year, by type of adoption; the basic profile of children living in alternative care…, Access to justice, In line with child protection priorities of the region, the main data needs on access to justice (A2J) for children are: Understanding whether children’s access to justice is improving, as well as their equality before and under the law by knowing whether children are provided with legal representation in criminal proceedings, and how many…, Violence against children, Children have a right to be protected from all forms of violence. [1]  One of the programming priority areas on violence against children (VAC) and harmful practices is to “build the evidence base”. [2]  To ensure an effective national response to VAC and harmful practices, data are needed, for instance, to: Understand the prevalence and patterns…, General Definitions, Child: in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child [1] , a child is every human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier. Adolescent: an adolescent is defined by the United Nations [2]  as every human being between the ages of 10 and 19 years.  Young people: are…

Testing Indicators 2020 UNICEF will support the national government, particularly the NSO, to strengthen its Child Protection Data Systems through enhanced collection and use of Child Protection data, in areas of Access to Justice, Children in Residential and Family-based Care, Adoption and Violence Against Children. In 2020, UNICEF will support…

No. SET OF INDICATORS (* to be validated in 2020) 1 Rate of children in formal alternative care at the end of the year (per 100,000)   Children in residential care 2 Rate of children in formal residential care at the end of the year (per 100,000) 3 Proportion of children with disabilities in formal residential care at the end of the year 4 Rate of…