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From widespread killing, maiming, abduction and sexual violence to recruitment into armed forces and groups and strikes on schools and hospitals, as well as essential water facilities – children living in conflict zones around the world continue to come under attack on a shocking scale.  To better monitor, prevent, and end these attacks, the…, 1. Killing and maiming of children, Killing and maiming of children can be a result of direct targeting or indirect actions, including torture. Killing and maiming can occur through crossfire, landmines, cluster munitions, improvised or other indiscriminate explosive devices or even in the context of military operations, house demolitions, search-and-arrest campaigns, or suicide…, 2. Recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups, Recruitment or use of children in armed forces and armed groups refers to compulsory, forced, or voluntary conscription or enlistment of children into any kind of armed force or armed group. The use of boys and girls by armed forces or armed groups can be in any capacity, including as fighters, cooks, porters, messengers and spies, or when they…, 3. Attacks on schools or hospitals, Attacks on schools or hospitals include the targeting of schools or medical facilities that cause the total or partial destruction of such facilities. Schools and hospitals should be protected spaces, where children are safe even in times of conflict, yet continued attacks on such facilities have underscored the catastrophic impact of armed…, 4. Rape or other grave sexual violence, Conflict-related sexual violence remains one of the most disturbing violation of children’s rights and has often been used as a tactic of war. Rape or other grave sexual violence includes acts of rape, other sexual violence, sexual slavery and/or trafficking, enforced prostitution, forced marriage or pregnancy, enforced sterilization, or sexual…, 5. Abduction of children, Abduction of children refers to the unlawful removal, seizure, capture, apprehension, or enforced disappearance of a child either temporarily or permanently. Whether it’s an intentional act of violence or retaliation, to instill fear among populations, or to forcibly recruit and/or sexually abuse children, abduction is one of the most pervasive…, 6. Denial of humanitarian access for children, Denial of humanitarian access for children includes the intentional deprivation or impediment of humanitarian assistance essential for children’s survival by parties to the conflict, including willfully impeding the ability of humanitarian or other relevant actors to access and assist affected children in situations of armed conflict.  Warring…, What UNICEF is doing , Lebanon. A Syrian refugee holds a box of supplies. A Syrian refugee holds a box of supplies in Lebanon. UNICEF and partners are continuing to provide care and protection for children living through war, advocating on their behalf, and engaging with all parties to conflict to ensure their rights are upheld. In addition to providing emergency and…

UNICEF recognizes, respects and strengthens the leadership and capacity of local communities, civil society organizations and authorities in humanitarian action. Preparing national and subnational actors for future humanitarian responses will better address the needs of children affected by humanitarian crises. This edition of UNICEF’s annual…

NEW YORK, 20 November 2023 – “Each year on November 20, we mark World Children’s Day to commemorate the 1989 adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) – the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. By ratifying this international legal framework, world leaders acknowledged that all children have…

During the UN General Assembly, UNICEF works to put a spotlight on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals ,  humanitarian action ,  health ,  climate change ,  education  and mental health ., The Sustainable Development Goals: Halfway to 2030, Follow  @ UNICEF  for the latest updates.  Learn more about  UNICEF's key events  from the 78th United Nations General Assembly.   Right now, the world is falling behind when it comes to the #GlobalGoals . Children’s lives and futures are on the line. With seven years to go, the time for world leaders to act is now! #UNGA pic.twitter.com/…, Humanitarian and emergencies, In conflict and disaster, children suffer first and suffer most. Sustainable interventions are critical because crises are not one-time shocks; their impact can last for years., Child health and survival, Every year, millions of children die from causes that are preventable and treatable. The COVID-19 pandemic showed everyone how important global health is and the deep inequities that exist. UNICEF is working tirelessly to make sure that every child has the access to the health care and nutrition they need to not only survive, but thrive. , Climate change, Rapid emissions reduction remains the only long term solution, however, because some impacts of climate change are now unavoidable and irreversible, we must immediately save and protect children’s lives by building the resilience of every child and young person to the impacts of this crisis., Learning crisis, Nearly two-thirds of 10-year-olds are estimated to be unable to read and understand a simple text. Without urgent action, this global learning crisis will become a generational catastrophe., Mental health, In every part of the world, poor mental health causes suffering for children and young people. Every child deserves to grow up in loving, nurturing and safe environments.

This paper articulates child rights in the context of policing assemblies involving children, framed against States’ more general obligations regarding children’s right to freedom of peaceful assembly (RFPA). It is based on a literature review, analysis of relevant international and regional standards, the expertise of a 31-member international…

World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s annual day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Children’s rights are human rights. But in too many places today, children’s rights are under attack. On World Children’s Day we make space for children and young people to raise their voices on the…, #ForEveryChild, Every Right!, For every child, peace animation For every child, peace Every child, everywhere, has a right to live in a peaceful world. For every child, a livable planet animation For every child, a livable planet  Children have a right to a safe and livable planet. For every child, a voice animation For every child, a voice  Children must be listened to and…, #WorldChildrensDay around the world, Children work on a hand-painted canvas during an event marking World Children’s Day in the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. UNICEF/UNI478111/Sujan In 2023, World Children's Day was an opportunity to recognize children as rights holders, to acknowledge the progress that has been made for and with children, and to demand action to…, Learn more about child rights, Hear from UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, “ Children live in a world that is increasingly hostile to their rights .” Read the child-friendly version of the Convention on the Rights of the Child . Explore resources for parents and teachers on child rights. Watch “We All Have Rights” a video explaining child rights to children aged 3 to…

It is becoming harder and harder for children around the world to access affordable and appealing healthy diets. Fuelled by the actions of a powerful food and beverage industry, the globalisation of food systems is driving a transition towards unhealthy food environments where ultra-processed foods and beverages, that are high in saturated fats,…

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…, 1 in 6 children in the world is living in extreme poverty Nearly 20% of children under 5 are extremely poor, compared to 7.9% of adults 100 million additional children are estimated to be living in multidimensional poverty as a result of the pandemic, a 10 per cent increase since 2019 Child poverty has devastating consequences for children,…, portrait-girl Public finance for children, In 137 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  In 65 countries supported national governments to strengthen social sector budgets for better and increased investments for children  In 96…, portrait-girl Strengthening social protection systems, Only 1 in 4 children currently has any access to a child or family benefit Nearly 133 million children in 95 countries were reached through UNICEF-supported cash transfer programmes 115 countries were supported with building inclusive and shock-responsive social protection systems supporting emergency responses Social protection has continued to…, girls-football-match Promoting positive gender norms and socialization, 94 UNICEF Country Programmes across all regions included concrete gender equality objectives 64 UNICEF Country Offices  carried out interventions to confront gender discriminatory roles and norms and promote positive gender socialization 3 million mothers, fathers and caregivers were reached across 94 countries  To promote positive gender norms…, big-sister-carry-younger-sister Supporting children with disabilities to reach their full potential, 4.8 million children with disabilities across 148 countries reached with UNICEF disability-inclusive development and humanitarian programmes Over 134,000 children provided with assistive technology (AT) and accessible products, exceeding the 2021 target of 95,200 55 per cent of UNICEF country offices systematically included children with…, young-women-outside Supporting adolescents to engage in shaping their future, Adolescent Participation and Civic Engagement 19,500,000 adolescents (54 per cent girls) engaged in UNICEF programmes across 125 countries in humanitarian and development settings 5,700,000 adolescents  engaged specifically in UNICEF programmes in humanitarian action and more than one million in climate change advocacy. 92 per cent of UNICEF…, girl-hugging-globe Looking forward, Looking ahead, UNICEF is sharpening the focus of this Goal Area with a focus on reducing child poverty, revamping and reaffirming our focus on public finance for an inclusive recovery, and expanding access to inclusive social protection, including in humanitarian crises and fragile contexts. Strengthening social protection systems’ capacities to…,    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 contribution, Read more and support our work, June 2022, Global Annual Results Report 2021 GOAL AREA 5 Every child has an equitable chance in life Cover image: UNICEF/UNI388995/Mussapp As part of the response to COVID-19, UNICEF and the World Bank supported the Government of Guatemala with the design and implementation of Bono Familia, an unconditional emergency cash transfer programme to support the…

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

The Executive Director of UNICEF works on behalf of the United Nations children's agency to help children around the world survive and thrive by advocating for and protecting their rights. They are appointed by the United Nations Secretary General. Below are profiles of all our Executive Directors since 1947., Maurice Pate Maurice Pate, 1947-1965, Maurice Pate (1894-1965) was UNICEF's first executive director. At the time of his joining, millions of children were suffering in the aftermath of World War II. Pate made it a condition of his service that UNICEF support those in vanquished as well as victorious countries. As a result, UNICEF helped distribute milk and other supplies to children…, Henry Labouisse Henry R. Labouisse, 1965-1979, American attorney and diplomat Henry R. Labouisse (1904 - 1987) brought extensive international service experience to UNICEF. The major conflicts and natural disasters of the late 1960s and 1970s would lead to an upsurge in UNICEF’s emergency relief operations. During this time, he guided UNICEF’s vision towards helping children and families in…, James Grant James P. Grant, 1980-1995, James P. Grant (1922 - 1995) was an energetic advocate for children and a visionary who insisted on strategic action and measurable results. He led UNICEF in a campaign to combat what he called a "global silent emergency," — the deaths of millions of children each year from easily preventable illnesses. Launched in 1983, this global initiative…, Carol Bellamy Carol Bellamy, 1995-2005, Carol Bellamy became UNICEF’s fourth Executive Director after a distinguished career that included the private sector and public office. Under Ms. Bellamy's leadership, UNICEF became a champion of global investment in children. During her tenure, Bellamy focused on five major priorities: immunizing every child; getting all girls and boys into…, Ann Veneman Ann M. Veneman, 2005-2010, Under Ann Veneman’s leadership, UNICEF launched initiatives to improve business practices, transparency and collaboration to ensure that the agency's programmes reached the most vulnerable and that its resources were utilized efficiently to protect, save and improve the lives of children around the world. These strategies included establishing a…, Anthony Lake Anthony Lake, 2010-2017, Anthony Lake came to serve as UNICEF’s sixth Executive Director with more than 45 years of public service experience. His career included foreign policy, national security, humanitarian and development issues at the most senior levels. His long-standing ties to UNICEF dated back to 1993, when he worked with UNICEF’s third Executive Director, James…, Henrietta Fore Henrietta H. Fore, 2018-2022, Henrietta H. Fore became UNICEF’s seventh director, having worked in economic development, education, health, humanitarian and disaster relief as a public servant, for more than four decades. She was the first woman to serve in the US Government as Administrator of the Agency for International Development (USAID), and Director of US Foreign…

NEW YORK, 11 December 2021 – Presidents, government ministers, senior United Nations leadership, UNICEF Ambassadors, partners, and children and young people gathered at events around the world to commemorate UNICEF’s 75 th anniversary this week. “Since its founding 75 years ago in the aftermath of World War II, UNICEF has been working for every…

NEW YORK, 9 December 2021 - "Secretary General Guterres, excellencies, distinguished guests, colleagues and friends of UNICEF … "UNICEF was founded in the aftermath of the Second World War, to save children’s lives and protect their rights. Tonight, we celebrate that for 75 years, UNICEF has delivered for children. From armed conflict, natural…