Stop Child Exploitation
Protection of children from violence and abuse
Children worldwide suffer from abhorrent acts of violence, exploitation and abuse—horrors no child should ever know or experience. Over 300 million of them are subjected to hazardous physical labor, commercial sex exploitation and child trafficking. Others are irrevocably harmed by cultural practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriage. Without basic protections, children are at risk of death, disease, poor physical and mental development, and homelessness.
UNICEF cooperates with governments, NGOs, and international organizations to stop abuse and violence towards children and to protect vulnerable young people through widespread advocacy of legislation, monitoring systems and rehabilitation and recovery programs. It also works with communities to address harmful practices and empower children through educational, life-skills and prevention programs.
Progress is being made: for example, data show that the average age for marriage is steadily rising in Bangladesh, Guinea, and Nepal—countries where child wedlock is prevalent.
Special child protection in emergencies and conflict
Children are especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation and trafficking during emergencies and armed conflicts.
During times of crisis, UNICEF works diligently to care for children who have been separated from their families; to create protective "child-friendly" spaces; and to offer medical treatment and counseling. In countries wracked by violent conflict and upheaval, UNICEF protects children from military conscription, works to stop trafficking, and helps child soldiers and sex slaves recover and reintegrate into their communities. In 2009 alone, UNICEF facilitated the release of 2,813 child soldiers from on-going civil conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
UNICEF actively advocates to protect children and women from the systematic sexual violence that is increasingly used as a weapon of war.
Without protection from violence and exploitation, children’s basic survival and development are at risk. Every day, millions of child laborers, sex workers and soldiers are denied their fundamental right to safety and security. UNICEF's child protection programs strive to create a world where every child grows up free from fear and harm.
Related Child Protection Links
January 28, 2012
Protecting children's right to a legal identity in Benin
A legal identity is a critical right, one that many children in Benin are denied due to not having a birth registration. During a recent visit, UNICEF Ambassador Angélique Kidjo advocated for improvements in the birth registration system in order to guarantee this right for all children. Without birth registration, children are excluded from basic services, and are more vulnerable to exploitation. In Benin, 40 %of children are not registered. UNICEF is committed to helping increase birth registration to guarantee the rights of all children.
January 23, 2012
Demobilization Centers help return children forced into armed conflict back to their communities in DR Congo
UNICEF and partners through demobilization centers are helping children forced into armed conflict recover from their experiences and return to their communities in DR Congo. Children associated with armed groups face steep challenges reintegrating into civilian life. Demobilization centers offer psycho-social treatment and access to formal education or professional training helping children recover.
January 3, 2012
Protecting vulnerable, flood-affected children in the Philippines
In the chaos that follows natural disasters, many children end up separated from their parents and families. Some, like Janella, lose both parents. And when children are displaced by these events, they can be cut off from critical social support and schooling. To this end, UNICEF puts a high priority on keeping families together and reuniting children who have been separated from their parents, siblings or extended family.
