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Child rights

UNICEF is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UNICEF is guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and strives to establish children's rights as enduring ethical principles and international standards of behaviour towards children.

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Convention on the Rights of the Child

Find out about the world’s most widely ratified human rights treaty in history

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History of child rights

International standards on child rights have advanced dramatically over the past century – explore the milestones

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The State of the World's Children

The most comprehensive analysis of global trends affecting children and covering the most important issues

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Campaign

World Children’s Day

For every child, every right

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More to explore
Report
27 May 2022

Charting the course

Ten years after the publication of the Children’s Rights and Business Principles (CRBPs), UNICEF, Save the Children and the UN Global Compact have released a report (October 2022) and a Brief (June 2022) reviewing progress and looking ahead on embedding children's rights in responsible and sustainable business conduct. The report offers a…
Blog post
18 May 2022

W is for work and well-being

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit Indonesia in 2020, the medically recommended and socially acceptable thing to do was to stay at home and flatten the curve of infection rates. But not everyone had that privilege. Many of us had to continue working outside our homes to pay our bills and put food on the table. This was especially true for Indonesia’s…
Annual report
16 May 2022

UNICEF Annual Report 2021

In 2021, the second full year of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF worked tirelessly together with partners to protect children’s rights in the face of the mounting impact of COVID-19 and other threats including armed conflict and climate change. UNICEF continued to alleviate the impacts of these crises on children while strengthening national systems…
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04 May 2022

UNICEF Annual Report

For over 75 years, UNICEF has been working tirelessly for child rights and for the well-being of every child. Whoever they are. Wherever they live. Since UNICEF was established, in the aftermath of World War II, we have been at the frontlines of humanitarian crises, armed conflict and natural disasters. Our on-the-ground expertise has reached more…, From the archives, 2021, See the full report, 2020, Responding to COVID-19 See the full report, 2019, For every child, reimagine See the full report, 2018, For every child, every right See the full report, 2017, See the full report, 2016, See the full report, 2015, See the full report, 2014, See the full report, 2013, See the full report, 2012, See the full report, 2011, See the full report, 2010, See the full report, 2009, See the full report, 2008, See the full report, 2007, See the full report, 2006, See the full report, 2005, See the full report, 2004, See the full report, 2003, See the full report, 2002, See the full report, 2001, See the full report, 2000, See the full report, 1999, See the full report, 1998, See the full report, 1997, See the full report, 1996, See the full report, 1995, See the full report, 1994, See the full report, 1993, See the full report, 1992, See the full report, 1991, See the full report, 1990, See the full report, 1989, See the full report, 1988, See the full report, 1987, See the full report, 1986, See the full report, 1985, See the full report, 1984, See the full report, 1983, See the full report, 1982, See the full report, 1981, See the full report, 1980, See the full report, 1979, See the full report, 1978, See the full report, 1977, See the full report, 1976, See the full report, 1975, See the full report, 1974, See the full report, 1973, See the full report, 1972, See the full report
Document
27 April 2022

Phase IV Programme Document for the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation

Since 2008, the Joint Programme, has been actively contributing to the accelerated elimination of FGM globally. Drawing on best practices and lessons learned from over a decade of programme implementation, the fourth phase of the Joint Programme has been developed to intensify efforts towards the elimination of FGM by 2030. UNFPA and UNICE aims to…
Statement
19 April 2022

Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on attacks against schools in Kabul, Afghanistan

NEW YORK, 19 April 2022 – “I am horrified by the brutal attacks targeting school children today in western Kabul, Afghanistan. The coordinated blasts occurred at the Mumtaz Tuition Center and Abdul Raheem Shaheed High School. “Reports are still being verified, but at least nine children are believed to have been killed and more than fifty injured…
Remarks
14 April 2022

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell's remarks at the African Group of Ambassadors Meeting

NEW YORK, 14 April 2022 - "Good afternoon and thank you for the very warm welcome. I am delighted to be attending my first meeting of the African Group of Ambassadors. "I want to thank Her Excellency Agnes Mary Chimbiri-Molande and Her Excellency Ambassador Fatima Kyari Mohammed for their leadership. And I thank you all for inviting me to join you…
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Biography
14 April 2022

Melissa Bullen

Woman poses in front of blue screen © UNICEF Melissa Bullen, General Counsel and Director of the Legal Office Full credit must be given. Melissa Bullen was appointed in August 2021 as the General Counsel and Director of the Legal Office, where she oversees teams responsible for global legal advisory services on a wide range of complex and…, 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
Statement
08 April 2022

Statement by UNICEF Ukraine Representative Murat Sahin on the attack on Kramatorsk train station

LVIV, Ukraine, 8 April 2022 - "We strongly condemn the attack today on the train station in Kramatorsk, Ukraine. We do not know yet how many children were killed and injured in the attack, but we fear the worst. Kramatorsk train station has been the main route out for thousands of families evacuating from Donetsk oblast, which has seen some of the…
Page
17 March 2022

Accessibility

» Report an accessibility issue We believe everyone should be able to easily access our global website and affiliated platforms. Whether you're using assistive technologies (like a screen reader or mobility device), our mission is to make our platforms your preferred channels by creating enriching experiences for every user. We aim to comply with…
Document
15 February 2022

Child Protection Blueprint - A Fair Deal for Refugee Children

“Inclusion” is when refugee children’s rights are respected, without discrimination, in law and practice, including their ability to access national services. Strengthening inclusion has the dual benefit of enhancing the protection of refugee children, while also contributing to strengthening national child protection systems that benefit all…
Statement
25 January 2022

Children caught up in al Hasakah prison violence must be evacuated to safety

NEW YORK, 25 January 2022 – “We have received deeply worrisome reports of fatalities among children in the Ghwayran military detention facility, in al-Hasakah, northeast Syria. We are also deeply concerned by reports that children trapped inside the facility may be forced to play an active part in the ongoing clashes between detainees and security…