Child Protection & Development
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UNICEF helps the world's most vulnerable children.
Every day, millions of children — forced into labor, prostitution or armed groups — 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, exploitation and harm. Without basic protections, children are at risk of death, disease, poor physical and mental development and homelessness.
89¢ of every $1 spent directly helps kids
UNICEF USA receives Charity Navigator's highest ratings for accountability and transparency.
Fast Fact
57
million
Of 57 million children who are out of school worldwide, more than half live in sub-Saharan Africa.
1.75
million
1.75 million children in Syria are not in school.
85
million
More than 85 million children are subjected to physical labor, exploitation and trafficking.
4
x
Children with disabilities are at least four times more likely to suffer violence or sexual abuse.
20
%
More than twice as many women (20%) than men (5-10%) report having been sexually abused as children.
2
million
The commercial sex trade exploits 2 million children worldwide.
6,000
Up to 6,000 children have been recruited by armed groups in the Central African Republic.
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More on Child Protection and Development
Almost one-third of all detected trafficking victims are children. The vast majority are girls. Here is one girl's story.
Armed conflict, natural disasters and political unrest often lead to increased human trafficking. Girls and women are especially vulnerable.
Human trafficking touches the lives of many, but women and girls are disproportionately impacted by exploitation worldwide.
Education can be a critical tool for addressing poverty and protecting children from forced labor, child marriage and trafficking.
By shopping ethically and pressing for changes to local legislation, we can curb the demand for child trafficking.
Malawian high schooler Happiness Ndawu tells MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell: "If I weren't in school I would have been married by now."