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Overview  |  What we do What we do  |  Reports and resources Reports  |  Data and insights Data  |  News and features News Gender disparities often start small in early childhood. Worldwide, girls and boys are just as likely to be registered at birth and immunized against life-threatening diseases. Many participate in preschool at similar rates.…, What we do, A group of girls smiling. Reducing inequality strengthens economies and builds stable, resilient societies that give everyone the chance to thrive. UNICEF builds partnerships across the world to accelerate gender equality. In all areas of our work, we  integrate strategies that address gender-specific discrimination and disadvantages. This means…, Reports, Data and insights, data icon Our data research icon Our research innovation icon Our insights, Latest

Overview  |  What we do What we do  |  Reports and resources Reports  |  Data and insights Data  |  News and features News Vaccines are among the greatest advances in global health and development. For over two centuries, they've safely reduced the scourge of diseases like polio, measles and smallpox, helping children grow up happy and healthy. …, What we do, A young boy with his head tilted back and an open mouth is waiting for the polio vaccine to be dropped into his mouth. Together with partners, UNICEF reaches almost half the world’s children with life-saving vaccines each year. In over 100 countries, we work with governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, and other United Nations (UN…, Our focus areas, Reaching those most in need, Many of the world’s unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children live in countries affected by conflict and instability. UNICEF works with partners to establish, maintain and improve the cold chain for vaccines and other essential medical supplies, and to put health teams torn apart by conflict back in place. No matter how challenging or remote the…, The supply chain, From procurement to storage, distribution to waste management, UNICEF works across the vaccine supply chain to strengthen systems, build capacity and support innovation.  We strengthen immunization services by providing governments with technical assistance, policy development, guidance and operational support.  UNICEF also helps countries manage…, Vaccine procurement and supply, As one of the world’s largest buyers of vaccines and other life-saving supplies, UNICEF has unique leverage to negotiate the lowest prices. Buying big and being transparent enables us to shape markets, cut costs and increase efficiency – saving more lives. UNICEF's market-shaping efforts have even contributed to the relative stability, and in some…, Technology and innovation, Working with private and public partners, UNICEF steers investment towards new vaccines and technologies – including diagnostic and health technologies, solar technology and digital platforms. We strive to scale up the most appropriate tech to expand the reach of immunization programmes., Disease eradication and elimination, Thanks to continuous work in immunization, the world is close to Eradicating Polio eradicating polio . Vaccination against measles, rubella and tetanus are also bringing us towards the elimination of these diseases in most geographic areas. But the recent backslide of vaccination rates has put more children at risk of preventable diseases. UNICEF…, Environmental sustainability, UNICEF promotes initiatives that optimize waste management and use environmentally friendly products. For example, we support the replacement of absorption fridges with solar technology to strengthen sustainability along the cold chain., Demand for immunization, UNICEF aims to reduce the spread of misinformation and ensure that families have access to accurate data on immunization so they can make the best decisions for their children. We engage communities in designing, delivering and assessing vaccination efforts – starting by listening. Our teams work directly with parents to understand their fears and…, Immunization planning, budgeting and financing, UNICEF works to ensure that vaccines and immunization services are adequately financed by governments and donors, with fully executed and transparent budgets. In collaboration with key partners, our teams also conduct studies and evaluations, and offer direct technical support to immunization programmes globally. Learn more, Reports, Data and insights, data icon Our data research icon Our research innovation icon Our insights, Latest

Overview  |  What we do What we do  |  Reports and resources Reports  |  Data and insights Data  |  News and features News Tremendous progress in child and maternal health has been achieved over the past decades. More children today live to celebrate their fifth birthday, while fewer women lose their lives during pregnancy and childbirth.  But…, What we do, A small baby held up to the camera by the mother. Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals requires a global shift from treating diseases to strengthening health systems, so that children and women of reproductive age have access to affordable, quality care. UNICEF works around the world – including in some of the hardest-to-reach places – to…, Reports, Data and insights, data icon Our data research icon Our research innovation icon Our insights, Latest

The way we conduct business anywhere in the world impacts children. Workplace conditions, terms of labour and employment – even pricing and policies that limit the ability of parents to provide for their families: Each of these business decisions has consequences for children's well-being. In some cases, practices that do not violate adults’…, Key facts, Over 1 billion children are touched by global business supply chains directly or indirectly, through their impact on families. Around 160 million children were subjected to child labour in 2020, with millions more at risk since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 800 million mothers worldwide are not adequately protected with leave and cash benefits in…, Topics in child rights and business, Child playing Finance and investing, Investors need to be cautious of making investments in companies with business practices that may cause harm to children. UNICEF works with partners to develop practical guidance and tools for investors to assess a business’s performance based on how their practices support children’s rights. >>Read: Investor Guidance on Integrating Children…, Young child holding mobile phone Child rights in a digital world, An estimated one in three internet users globally is a child. Wider access to digital technologies poses significant risks to children, both offline and online. UNICEF collaborates with governments and technology companies – from online gaming to mobile operators – to keep children safe online. We focus on ending online child sexual exploitation…, Mothers, breastfeeding Supply chains and the workplace, Supply chains and the workplace can impact children in a number of ways. Related rights issues include poor living conditions, environmental pollution and hazards, and insufficient services and care for maternal health.  UNICEF promotes family-friendly policies that can offer parents and caregivers the time, resources and services they need to…, A child holding a slate in school State action on child rights, Although businesses are responsible for the impact of their activities on children's rights, the ultimate accountability lies with authorities at national and global levels. Governments have specific obligations to realize children’s rights when it comes to regulating business operations. >>Read: Children's Rights in National Action Plans on…, What we do, In 2012, UNICEF launched Children's Rights and Business Principles alongside Save the Children and the UN Global Compact. These principles look at the impact businesses have on children and ways to address them. UNICEF has engaged businesses in over 70 countries, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including industry associations,…, Publications and resources

Virtually every child on the planet is already affected by climate change. Natural disasters, environmental degradation, and biodiversity loss can devastate agriculture, cutting children off from nutritious foods and safe water. They can lead to dangerous environments and disease outbreaks, and destroy the safe shelter, quality health care and…, Our focus areas, Climate action, Social programmes for children need to adapt to a changing climate. We advocate for child-centred climate adaptation, resilience-building and child-sensitive climate policies, while mapping out children’s climate risk and supporting young climate champions. Learn more, Disaster risk reduction and recovery, Even before disaster strikes, children need measures that reduce their risks of harm and support a resilient recovery. We work on vulnerability mapping, multi-hazard early warning systems, comprehensive disaster-management strategies and post-disaster needs. We also help governments build their capacity to strengthen social services and…, Environmental action, Climate change and environmental degradation can be addressed for and with young people, through programmes for survival, health and well-being. We support local solutions that value biodiversity as well as nature-based solutions. And we act to protect children’s health from toxic metals, chemicals, hazardous waste, air pollution and other harmful…, Sustainable energy, A brighter life for every child begins with sustainable energy. We partner with the public and private sectors to advance clean, renewable and sustainable energy solutions. That includes areas like the vaccine cold chain, and programmes like solar water pumping. We help to electrify schools and health centres, and to enable community-level energy…, What we do, At UNICEF, our climate, disaster risk reduction, environment and energy activities aim to:  Advocate with governments and business partners to put children and young people first in their sustainability plans, budgets and actions towards a green transition. Strengthen the resilience and continuity of social services to climate and environmental…, Our strategy and action plan, Delivering results cannot be achieved by UNICEF alone. Our  Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan 2023-2030  galvanizes a global commitment to ensure a sustainable world and to protect the most vulnerable children from the worst impacts of a changing climate and degrading environment. It outlines UNICEF’s organizational response to this…, Our advocacy, The investments we can make for children now will ensure that they survive, grow and thrive in the face of climate and environmental shocks. UNICEF advocates for these investments, while supporting young people with the education and skills they need to help make the world a greener place. Help us protect, prepare and prioritize every child for a…, Child-sensitive policies, UNICEF works to ensure that policies on climate, environment, energy and disaster risk reduction integrate children’s and young people’s views, concerns and solutions. Policies shape the world that the younger generation experiences today and will inherit in the future. In our climate change work, we support youth advocacy through tools and…, Multisectoral work, To ensure child-critical services are more inclusive, resilient to and prepared for disasters and climate change impacts, UNICEF works across the following sectors: Education, including  climate resilience Health, including  healthy environments ; Nutrition; Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), including  climate-resilient WASH initiatives ;…, Engagement with young people, UNICEF works to elevate and empower children and young people to meaningfully participate in the decisions and actions that affect them. We work with them to develop child- and youth-friendly tools for climate action and give voice to young climate activists, innovators and entrepreneurs., Innovation, Protecting children from the effects of climate change and empowering them as agents of change require transformational solutions . UNICEF’s approach to climate innovation is aimed at finding such solutions to the most stubborn climate crisis challenges., Evidence generation, UNICEF is at the forefront of research, tools and analysis that governments rely on to plan and develop policy, and allocate investments towards the most vulnerable children. Among other pieces of evidence, we have developed: The Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI) The first comprehensive view of children’s exposure and vulnerability to the…, Inclusion, The impacts of climate disasters affect different children differently, based on their gender , age, disability, location or migration status . UNICEF works to include all children in climate and DRR decision-making so to they can be better prepared, protected, and resilient., Publications and resources

More than half of the world’s population – some 4.5 billion people – live in urban areas. As millions more make the move each month, many end up in slums or informal settlements. An estimated 350 – 500 million children live in slums, with limited access to essential services like health care, education and sanitation. Opportunities stemming from…, Publications and resources, UNICEF's response, By 2050, an estimated 70 per cent of the world’s population will live in urban settings, with most population growth occurring in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Without a stronger focus on children in cities, humanitarian organizations will fail to reach the most vulnerable children with the protections set out under the Convention of the…, Learn more

There are more than 600 million adolescent girls in the world today — equipped with the right resources and opportunities, they will be the largest cohort of female leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and change-makers the world has ever seen. They have also shown tremendous courage, strength, and resilience during unprecedented challenges, from…, Resources, Adolescent education and skills-development Giving Girls the Right Skills for the Job Global Forum for Children and Youth CY21 community session on girl-centered solutions Girls in Tech A new era for girls Taking stock on 25 years of progress for girls Harnessing the power of data for girls: Taking stock and looking ahead to 2030 Tech Trailblazers…, UNICEF’s Response, UNICEF, through the Skills4Girls Portfolio, is currently working with and for girls in more than 20 countries to bridge the gap between the skills girls need to be competitive in the 21st century workforce, versus those they have traditionally had access to. Skills4Girls has impacted more than 5.8 million girls since 2019. The aim is to reach 11.5…

Children with Children with disabilities disabilities are among the most marginalized and at-risk people in communities affected by armed conflict, natural disaster and other UNICEF in emergencies humanitarian emergencies . They are more likely to experience discrimination and violence; more likely to be left behind – abandoned or neglected; and…, Latest, What we do, A twelve-year-old boy in Syria, sitting outside in a wheelchair, smiles as he looks through the camera of a photographer, placed in his lap. The boy's fourteen-year-old sister, standing behind him, leans in to see, her cheek next to his. UNICEF is committed to ensuring that all children with disabilities have safe, inclusive access to emergency…, Learn more

Children are the most vulnerable during and after any disaster. Approximately one billion children worldwide are at extremely high risk due to climate impacts, including climate-related disasters. When disaster strikes, children get cut off from schooling, nutrition and health care. They can lose critical social services and protection, while…, Every child resilient, Children and young people are more than victims of disasters. They have an active role to play in reducing risk, in collaboration with governments and humanitarians. They bring critical skills, individual experiences and ideas for solutions.  Integrating child-specific interventions into disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change policies –…, UNICEF’s response, The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030 ) outlines clear targets and priorities to prevent and reduce disaster risks. Building the resilience of children and young people is vital to meet these targets and those of other global agreements. UNICEF's DRR approach is part of the https://www.unicef.org/documents/liveable-planet-…, Ensuring child-critical services are more inclusive, and resilient to and prepared for disasters, UNICEF integrates disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation activities into essential services for children. We do so by bringing resources, advocacy and technical expertise into our collaborations with governments and other partners – and most importantly, with children and young people themselves.   We are a leading agency in…, Engaging children through education, preparedness and resilience programmes, Children are already playing an active role in reducing disaster and climate risk by developing risk assessments, early warning systems, community-based actions, school evacuation protocols and recovery plans. They also stand as advocates, raising awareness through social media and in-person campaigns. UNICEF supports children and young people to…, Committing funds and resources to prepare and protect all children from disasters and climate impacts, UNICEF builds government and partner capacities, provides technical expertise for safe schools and health-care facilities, and secures investments for the rapid recovery of child-critical services after a disaster. We invest in specific, localized data collection and share our technical expertise to shape and influence policies for children.…, Resources, Publisher Title UNICEF Every child prepared, engaged, safe and resilient UNICEF UNICEF DRR in Action: Every country protected; every child resilient UNICEF UNICEF environment and climate change efforts UNICEF Strengthening shock responsive social protection systems UNICEF Guidance for risk-informed programming (GRIP) UNICEF Risk-informed education…

Fifteen per cent of the world’s population – at least one billion people – have some form of disability, whether present at birth or acquired later in life. Nearly 240 million of them are children. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities defines living with a disability as…, Discrimination against children with disabilities, Yet, children with disabilities are among the most marginalized people in every society. A range of barriers limits their ability to function in daily life, access social services (like education and health care) and engage in their communities. These include: Physical barriers – for example, buildings, transportation, toilets and playgrounds that…, For every child, every right, The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) was adopted in 2006 in response to the severe human rights violations experienced by people with disabilities worldwide. The CRPD obligates Governments to take concrete measures to promote their full and equal enjoyment of all…, Topics in disability rights, Stigma and discrimination, Stigma and discrimination are at the root of the exclusion children with disabilities face in every aspect of life. UNICEF works to transform attitudes, practices and social norms around disability to make families, communities, schools, health care, and social services inclusive and accessible, and to support the full participation of children…, Inclusive health and well-being, Children with disabilities often have limited access to health care, nutrition and support for their well-being. As a result, they experience poorer physical and mental health outcomes compared to their peers. UNICEF works to ensure that children with disabilities and their families can access disability-inclusive health services, support and…, Inclusive education, Children with disabilities face persistent barriers to education stemming from discrimination, stigma and the routine failure of decision-makers to address exclusion in school. As a result, they are among the most likely to be out of school, and are often placed in segregated schooling. Many miss out on opportunities to learn and develop skills…, Inclusive child protection, Children with disabilities face heightened risks of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation compared to their peers. They’re also more likely to be institutionalized and experience barriers accessing justice. UNICEF works to make child protection systems inclusive and accessible, including in humanitarian crises, so that children with…, Inclusive WASH, Many children with disabilities have limited access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities – creating barriers to other needs for which WASH is a necessary condition. UNICEF works to ensure that all children with disabilities realize their fundamental human right to accessible drinking water and sanitation, as required for their…, Inclusive social protection, Children with disabilities and their families are disproportionately likely to live in poverty, owing to the costs of having a disability, lack of access to education and other essential services, and inadequate social protection. UNICEF works to make social protection systems and social spending responsive to disability, so that children and…, Children with disabilities in emergencies, Children with disabilities are among the most marginalized in communities affected by humanitarian emergencies, compounding the barriers they face even in the best of times. UNICEF works to ensure that people with disabilities are represented in humanitarian decision-making, and that all crisis-affected children with disabilities have safe access…, Engaging children and adolescents, Children and adolescents with disabilities are the experts on their experiences and needs, and have the right to be heard in all matters that concern them. They are UNICEF’s foremost partners in our work to make societies inclusive and accessible. To ensure our programming supports their well-being, we consult children and adolescents with…, Assistive technology and inclusive products, Assistive technology includes products and services that maintain or improve an individual’s functioning, independence, participation and well-being. It encompasses specialized devices like wheelchairs, prostheses, hearing aids and eyeglasses. It also includes services like speech and occupational therapy, as well as assessments that match…, Data and evidence, A lack of data and research about children with disabilities has been both a cause and a consequence of their invisibility. Measures also vary widely across countries: Narrow medical definitions and assessments that use stigmatizing language yield lower estimates of disability prevalence, compared to broader measures that focus on functioning. But…, Research, No child should be left behind. Yet UNICEF research indicates that among 240 million children with disabilities globally, half have never attended school, and nearly a third do not eat enough of the right food. We remain committed to generating new evidence and, with our Global Research Agenda and Platform for Children with Disabilities, will…, Featured resources, What we do, UNICEF works to build a world where children with disabilities reach their full potential. Our work is guided by the social model and human rights–based approach to disability, recognizing disability as caused by unaccommodating social environments, institutions and attitudes. We promote accessibility as a precondition for children and adults with…, News and features

Children pay the highest price of humanitarian crisis. Armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies expose millions of girls and boys to unthinkable forms of violence, exploitation, abuse and neglect. Many children are forced to flee their homes, some torn from their parents and caregivers along the way. In conflict, children may be…, Topics, Explosive weapons and remnants of war, Explosive weapons kill and injure thousands of civilians each year, during and after armed conflict. Children account for roughly half of the casualties from explosive ordnance. Child survivors endure staggering physical injury and psychological trauma. But explosive weapons also inflict severe harm on children indirectly: Especially in populated…, Children recruited by armed forces, Thousands of children are recruited and used in armed conflicts across the world. Often referred to as “child soldiers,” these boys and girls suffer extensive forms of exploitation and abuse that are not fully captured by that term. Warring parties use children not only as fighters, but as scouts, cooks, porters, guards, messengers and more. Learn…, Gender-based violence, Gender-based violence is the most pervasive yet least visible human rights violation in the world. It includes physical, sexual, mental or economic harm inflicted on a person because of socially ascribed power imbalances between males and females. It also includes the threat of violence, coercion and deprivation of liberty, whether in public or…, Family separation during crisis, Violent conflicts, natural disasters and other crises force thousands of children from their parents and caregivers each year. Some are separated from their families during the chaos of a humanitarian emergency. Others may be pulled away by parties involved in a violent conflict. Children may be separated from their families for hours, days,…, Mental health and psychosocial support, Children exposed to conflict, natural disasters and other humanitarian crises can suffer severe psychological and social consequences. Mental health and psychosocial support for children affected by emergencies is essential. Learn more, Sexual exploitation and abuse, In areas affected by conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies, people trust aid workers to assist and protect them. The vast majority do so with professionalism and integrity. But some aid workers abuse their position of power through the sexual exploitation and abuse of those who depend on them, including children. These acts are…, What we do, UNICEF is a global leader for child protection in emergencies. We partner with governments, international organizations, and communities themselves to keep children from harm’s way and support those who have experienced violence or abuse. We also develop evidence-based technical standards, guidance and advocacy strategies to arm child protection…, For every child, protection, UNICEF responds to humanitarian emergencies in every corner of the globe., Learn more, Resources, UNICEF Humanitarian Practice UNICEF in Emergencies UNICEF Humanitarian Practice: COVID-19 Technical Guidance Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action, 2019  Gender-Based Violence Minimum Standards Toolkit on Unaccompanied and Separated Children Inter-agency Guidelines for Case Management and Child Protection Guidance Note:…

Overview  |  What we do What we do  |  Reports and resources Reports  |  Data and insights Data  |  News and features News How governments choose to allocate resources shapes how children get what they need to survive and thrive. Across the world, children are more likely to live in poverty than adults. They are also more vulnerable to its effects…, What we do, Together with partners, UNICEF works to give every child an equitable chance in life. We call for governments to recognize child poverty as a national policy priority and protect children from its most devastating effects. We support countries’ efforts to assess monetary and multidimensional child poverty – measures of deprivation that go beyond…, Reports, Data and insights, data icon Our data research icon Our research innovation icon Our innovation, Latest