Child Protection
UNICEF’s Child Protection Programme works to prevent and respond to violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect of children. It ensures every child grows up safe, supported, and with access to services and systems that uphold their rights and well-being.
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Challenge
Lebanon’s compounding crises, including an economic meltdown and deadly hostilities, have plunged families into poverty, driven basic services to the brink of collapse and significantly increased the risks that children and women face.
With very limited resources and virtually no access to social support, many families resort to negative coping mechanisms, such as cutting back on health and education expenses or even sending their children to work.
As the systems meant to protect them deteriorate, children are increasingly exposed to abuse, exploitation and violence, which can result in physical, intellectual, psychological and economic harm, extending well into adolescence and adulthood.
In 2024, the escalation of conflict led to a sharp increase in grave violations against children, mainly cases of killing and maiming. Armed groups also continued to recruit and use children.
The crisis has also caused tensions and anxiety within households, taking a heavy toll on children’s mental health and sometimes resulting in domestic violence and harmful gender and social practices.
Often excluded, marginalized and at risk of gender-based violence (GBV) and negative health outcomes, adolescent girls are disproportionately affected by the multi-layered crises. GBV, including child marriages, is a growing concern.
Simultaneously, an increasing number of children are coming into contact with the criminal justice system at a time when their access to rehabilitation and reintegration services is shrinking.
Solutions
Protecting children and women means safeguarding their physical, mental and psychosocial well-being, and requires a comprehensive, multisectoral response. This includes ensuring that child and family welfare services, legal protections and social safety nets are in place, particularly for the most vulnerable, and that child-friendly justice systems are accessible, timely and sensitive to children’s needs.
Real change requires a cohesive national response led by the Government with support from the UN country team, civil society, donors, the private sector, faith-based leaders and financial institutions.
Children themselves need to be empowered to help them realize their rights.
The Government of Lebanon should prioritize the protection and well-being of women and children by:
Our key achievements
Child Protection Programme key achievements
UNICEF provides technical assistance, drives policy dialogue and engages in strategic advocacy. In partnership with the Government, UNICEF has focused on reinforcing national child protection systems, particularly by promoting reforms to the alternative care framework to prevent unnecessary family separations, and by championing a child-sensitive justice system that upholds the rights, safety and dignity of every child.
- Provided psychosocial support and parenting programmes to almost 51,000 children and more than 42,000 caregivers;
- Equipped 12,500 caregivers with a ‘Caregiver’s Toolbox’, a practical resource that strengthened their knowledge and skills in supporting children’s well-being and development.
- Reached 190,000 people through 838 Qudwa community initiatives, promoting child protection and GBV awareness and engagement.
UNICEF provided life-saving case management support to nearly 2,800 children, including family reunification for unaccompanied or separated children involved in cross-border movements, and legal representation for children detained or displaced during the 2023–2024 armed conflict.
UNICEF reached more than 11,750 women and adolescent girls with prevention and response services. For women and girls who survived GBV, case management and referrals to specialized services were provided.
To improve conditions for juveniles in detention, UNICEF distributed hygiene kits and clothing in Roumieh Central Prison to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Additionally, child-friendly hearing rooms have been established in six Palaces of Justice, coupled with capacity-building initiatives for justice professionals to promote a child-sensitive administration of justice procedures.
Through the CAAC agenda, UNICEF delivered Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) to over 23,420 children, caregivers and frontline workers. Over 542,000 EORE information, education, and communication (IEC) materials were distributed. A digital campaign reached more than 3.4 million people with critical EORE messaging and trained 110 community members. Complementary digital campaigns extended outreach, promoting safe behaviours, protecting children and women, mitigating risks and building resilience in conflict-affected communities.