Guatemala’s efforts fall short in protecting girls from sexual violence

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Explotation, Human Rights, violence

Sexual violence against girls is a widespread and deeply rooted issue in Guatemala, often used as a tool to control and harm their bodies and futures. The alarming numbers of reported cases of sexual violence by girls have pushed the government to adopt a social protection programme called “Vida Programme” which is aimed at providing […]

The horrifying impact of knife crime on youth in the United Kingdom

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Human Rights, violence

The last ten years have seen an alarming and continued rise in knife-enabled crime in the UK. Driven by an underlying, growing serious youth violence epidemic, and enabled by continued legislative and policy deficiencies, the crime has become one of the most widespread risks to child safety. Though recent developments point to a positive evolution […]

Syria’s explosive remnants endanger a generation of innocents

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Human Rights, violence

The Syrian conflict has left a devastating legacy of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and landmines, posing a persistent threat to the lives of children. In the first months of 2025, the situation worsened, with over 100 children killed by these remnants of war in a single month alone. Historical and political background Syria’s civil war began […]

Lebanon’s children in the aftermath of 2024 hostilities

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Education, Explotation, Health, Human Rights, violence

Lebanon’s children have suffered devastating consequences of the 2024 hostilities. The escalation of violence has led to loss of life, injuries, and massive displacement among the youngest and most vulnerable members of society. Beyond the immediate physical dangers, these children face long-term challenges, including psychological trauma, disruption of education, and threats to their overall well-being. […]

Abuse and mistreatment of migrant children in Libya’s detention centres

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Explotation, Human Rights, Migration, violence

On their way to Europe, countless refugees and migrant children follow migration routes across Africa. Libya is a key transit point during this journey. Yet inside Libya’s borders, the hardships remain. Reports of abuse, torture and inhuman treatment have emerged from the various detention centres where migrant children are forcibly detained. Alarming as these accounts […]

General Comment No. 27: Advancing children’s rights to access to justice and effective remedies

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Human Rights

In January 2024, during its 95th session, the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child decided to draft its 27th General Comment, a landmark initiative addressing one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of children’s rights: access to justice and effective remedies. This General Comment marks an important step in ensuring […]

How child labour fuels Indonesia’s palm oil industry

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Explotation, Human Rights, Labour

Palm oil, the world’s most versatile vegetable oil, is a key ingredient in countless products, from processed foods to cosmetics and even biodiesel (Tullis, 2019). Its multipurpose qualities have led to a high worldwide demand. While good for the economy, its widespread cultivation has led to terrible circumstances for some children in Indonesia who are […]

Educational inequities for marginalized students in New Zealand

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Education, Human Rights, Indigenous people

New Zealand (known by its Māori name Aotearoa, which translates to “land of the long white cloud”) prides itself on values of equality and fairness, yet significant inequities persist within its education system, particularly for Māori (the country’s indigenous population) and Pasifika (South Pacific Islanders and their descendants) students (Jiaheng, 2024). Despite the overall high […]

The price of social security in El Salvador at the expense of children’s rights

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Explotation, Human Rights, Poverty, violence

Almost 3,000 children have been arrested and 1,000 convicted over mostly gang membership-related charges in El Salvador as part of President Nayib Bukele’s so-called “war on gangs”. However, this success has come at a high cost for children’s rights. Children in juvenile detention facilities have reported torture, inhumane and unsanitary conditions, as well as a […]

A new draft law imperils children’s rights and gender equality in Iraq

Posted on Posted in Child Marriage, Children's Rights, Explotation, Human Rights

In Iraq, a concerning legislative amendment is threatening the rights of children and women. The proposed amendment to the Personal Status Law is designed to legitimise religious marriages, opening the door to child marriages as young as nine years old. Not only does this amendment undermine progress made towards gender equality, but it also places […]