The rapid escalation of the situation in Haiti is having devastating impacts on children, challenging their right to safety, health, well-being, and a peaceful childhood. The unprecedented spike in armed gang violence is further forcing thousands of families, including children, to flee their homes in search of protection and life-saving relief. Half of the population [...]
Despite positive advancements, including progress on the implementation of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace between the Government of Colombia and the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia-Ejército del Pueblo (FARC-EP), the resumption of peace negotiations with the Ejército de Liberación Nacional (ELN) and dialogues with other [...]
Despite some progress and a noted decrease in grave violations against children, armed conflict continued in the Central African Republic. The vulnerability of Central African children to grave violations was exacerbated by retaliatory attacks against communities, including children for alleged support to opposing parties and the indiscriminate use of explosive ordnance by parties to [...]
As we mark the International Day against the use of Child Soldiers, commonly known as the Red Hand Day, the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba, reaffirms her commitment to the protection of children affected by armed conflict in all regions of the world. The recruitment and use of children by armed [...]
“This painting is for every child affected by war. No bullets. One rose for each child.” (10-year-old Majd) “I drew a military tank. I saw a tank and soldiers when we were traveling to another city. And there was a fight... I wish the war would stop… I want to go home.” (Fatima) https://www.unicef.org/sudan/stories/no-bullets-one-rose-each-child [...]
Report of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict to the Human Rights Council A bleak year for children around the world In 2023, tens of thousands of children were affected by armed conflict across the world, suffering abhorrent abuses and violations of their rights. The splintering of existing or the [...]
Scroll down for Arabic and Kurdish versions The UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict (SRSG CAAC), Ms. Virginia Gamba, conducted her first visit to Iraq from 7 to 11 January 2024 to commend the progress made by the Iraqi Government on the protection of conflict-affected children and to engage with [...]
Children in Afghanistan remained highly vulnerable to grave violations, despite an overall decrease in grave violations compared to the last reporting period, following the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban, highlights a new report of the UN Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict in Afghanistan released today. Children's access to basic services was disrupted due [...]
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Virginia Gamba, welcomes the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2720 adopted today in New York. “The most rapid and effective way to stop violence against children in situations of armed conflict is through meaningful engagement, cessation of hostilities, peace processes, and dialogue for sustainable peace. Peacemaking and [...]
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Ms. Virginia Gamba, concluded a two-day visit to The Gambia, where she took part in the African Union Ministerial and High-Level Open Session on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights and Welfare of the Child, which took place on 4 and 5 December, [...]
