Months of escalating conflict have turned the Gaza Strip into the most dangerous place in the world to be a child. Every child across Gaza has been exposed to deeply distressing events, witnessing horrors that no child should. Around 1.7 million people are estimated to have been internally displaced by the violence, half of them children. Families desperately searching for shelter are being pushed into tiny, overcrowded areas without adequate water, food, or protection. The little food that is available isnt enough to meet childrens nutritional needs. As a result, thousands of children are malnourished and sick. The lasting impact of this violence will be felt for generations to come.
I think the direction in which we need to go is for us to restructure education, said Farida Shaheed, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human right to education.
I want it to be open. I want there to be much more appreciation of our artistic expressions. Education has to be rounded. It has to be based on human rights and it needs to explore and enable everyone to reach the full potential as human beings, whatever that may be. and other issues as part of Voices of Dignity, a series of interviews with thought leaders and experts on the
Around 1.4 billion children under 15 lack social protection, making them vulnerable to poverty, poor nutrition, and disease. Child benefits can reduce poverty and provide essential services like healthcare, nutrition, and education. However, fewer than 1-in-10 children in low-income countries have access to child benefits, compared to 84.6% in high-income countries. The International Labour Organization (), Save the Children, and call on governments to provide universal child benefits to protect all children. Although access to child benefits has increased globally from 20% in 2009 to 28.1% in 2023, this progress has been unequal, with low-income countries lagging behind. To address the issue, the organizations have launched the to monitor children's access to benefits and advocate with governments and donors to close the gaps.
Cancer is a leading cause of death for children and adolescents. Each year, an estimated 400,000 children and adolescents develop cancer. The most common types of include leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas and solid tumours. It is generally not possible to prevent cancer in children, so the most effective strategy to improve outcomes is to focus on a prompt, correct diagnosis followed by effective, evidence-based therapy. , 15 February, spotlights the need for more equitable access to treatment and care for all children with cancer, everywhere.
Since 7 October, around 85% of Gaza's population, which is about 1.9 million people, have been displaced. The majority of the 24,000 killed and 59,000 injured are women and children. Hunger is widespread, and aid has been insufficient to address the growing humanitarian crisis. The UN has called for commercial supplies to be allowed to enter Gaza to enable markets and the private sector to reopen and provide an alternative to food accessibility. The images and stories in this photo story published by the (OCHA) depict the harsh reality that Palestinian children face daily.
Whether in person or online, almost all children and young people will encounter hate speech at some time. Its important to help them recognize it and know what to do when they encounter it.
Education is a fundamental human right. It is a key factor in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is affecting millions of people worldwide. Education can also address the root causes of hate speech and sensitize learners to its forms and consequences online and offline. However, there are still 250 million children and youth who are out of school, and 763 million illiterate adults. As the world is seeing a surge of violent conflicts paralleled by an alarming rise of discrimination, racism, and hate speech the International Day of Education (24 Jan) will be celebrated under the theme .
The year 2023 has witnessed an unprecedented global humanitarian crisis marked by escalating conflicts, disasters, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks. From Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, from Burkina Faso to Somalia, and beyond, millions of children face grave threats due to violence, violations, and the collapse of essential services. However, amidst the surging needs, funding remains a critical challenge. UNICEF is actively engaged in these regions, providing crucial support such as healthcare system maintenance, treatment for malnutrition, education, psychosocial support, and protection services. The organization emphasizes the urgency of these and the critical need for international support to address the complex and interconnected challenges faced by these communities.
has teamed up with spoken word artist @clickfortaz, in support of the 1 in 7 adolescents living with a mental health condition and to promote good mental health and well-being for all children and young people.
Children in the Gaza Strip face a to their lives, as cases of diseases rise, nutrition plummets and the escalation in hostilities approaches its fourth month. Thousands of children have already died from the violence, while living conditions for children continue to rapidly deteriorate, with increasing cases of diarrhea and rising food poverty among children, raising the risk of mounting child deaths. Children and families need now.
Over the past 30 years, childrens lives have been transformed by the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history. The has inspired governments to change laws and policies, so more children get the healthcare and nutrition they need and are better protected from violence and exploitation. But there is still more work to be done. The monitors implementation of the Convention by its States parties. The Committee is starting the to review States parties reports.
Children under the age of 5 undergo rapid brain development, making them particularly susceptible to the long-term consequences of exposure to harmful substances. It is imperative to take immediate action to shield our children from environmental pollutants, as each instance of poisoning represents a loss to our collective future. Every child deserves the right to grow up in a healthy environment.
UNICEF launches its appeal to mitigate the effects of unprecedented humanitarian crises around the world.
In all wars, it is children who suffer first and suffer most.
Bearing witness, James Elder gives a firsthand account of the impact of the war on children and families.
Recently displaced children in the southern Gaza Strip are accessing only 1.5 to 2 litres of water each day, well below the recommended requirements just for survival, according to estimates. According to humanitarian standards, the minimum amount of water needed in an emergency is 15 litres, which includes water for drinking, washing and cooking. For survival alone, the estimated minimum is 3 litres per day. The impact of this on children is particularly dramatic because children are also more susceptible to dehydration, diarrhea, disease and malnutrition.