Content Topic
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.
Recommended resources
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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
Flagship report
The State of the World's Children
The most comprehensive analysis of global trends affecting children and covering the most important issues
More resources
Annual report
Global Annual Results Report 2024: Goal Area 5
The Global Annual Results Report on Goal Area 5 of the UNICEF Strategic Plan 2022-2025 presents results of its social policy and social protection programme, covering two result areas: reducing child poverty and ensuring access to inclusive social protection.Goal Area 5 is intended to ensure that every child, incl...
Report
Funding compendium 2024
The Funding Compendium 2024 comprises financial information on income and contributions received provided by public and private sector resource partners to UNICEF. It outlines the various funding streams to UNICEF, including Regular Resources, Thematic funding and multi-year resources.In 2024, UNICEF`s total incom...
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Who we are
We protect children's rights and safeguard their futures., UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged and those hardest to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thri...
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What we do
UNICEF, the United Nations agency for children, works to protect the rights of every child, especially the most disadvantaged and those hardest to reach. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfil their potential. We provide and advocate for ...
Document
Focus Brief: Rights-based approach to disability
This focus brief provides guidance on integrating into frontline worker training the importance of understanding the shift towards a rights-based approach to disability inclusion, and how to apply that in practice. Integrating a human rights perspective can empower children and youth with disabilities. This brief ...
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Take action
UNICEF works in nearly every country on the planet to protect children’s rights and safeguard their futures. From your hearts to their homes, schools and hospitals: Support from people like you reaches children where they need it most., Donate, No matter how big or small, your donation helps ensure children get th...
Press release
‘Not the new normal’ – 2024 'one of the worst years in UNICEF’s history' for children in conflict
NEW YORK, 28 December 2024 –, The impact of armed conflicts on children around the world reached devastating and likely record levels in 2024, according to a review by UNICEF of the latest available data and prevailing global trends. More children than ever are estimated to be either living in conflict zones or fo...
Statement
Child found floating alone in the sea, wearing a life jacket made of tyre tubes, after 44 other passengers on her boat believed to have drowned
GENEVA/LAMPEDUSA, Italy, 12 December 2024 –, "An 11-year-old girl was rescued yesterday from a shipwreck off the coast of Italy’s Lampedusa. All 44 other people on board, including women and children, are believed to have drowned. "The child was found floating in the water, alone, wearing a life jacket and clingi...
Article
Listen to the future – World Children's Day 2024
World Children’s Day 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. In 2024, World Children's Day provided an opportunity to listen to the future. By listening to children we can fulfil their right to self-expre...
Flagship report
The State of the World's Children 2024
As we near the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, The State of the World’s Children 2024 looks ahead to the year 2050. It asks: How can we best secure a future where the rights of every child are realized – a world where all children survive, thrive and meet their full potential?Children's perspectives ...
Campaign
World Children’s Day
World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s global day of action for children, by children, marking the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child . Child rights are human rights. They are non-negotiable and universal. But in too many places today children’s rights are being misunderstood, disregarded or even deni...