“ISIS brides” and their children: Ongoing violations of children’s rights in Syria and Iraq

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Digital Environment, Exploitation, Human Rights, violence

Between 2013 and 2019, an estimated 664 to 746 Western women travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State (ISIS). Women and girls supported ISIS not only by marrying fighters, but also by engaging in propaganda, recruitment, and in some cases, armed roles. After the fall of the Caliphate in 2019, many of […]

The rise of livestreamed child sexual exploitation in the Philippines

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Digital Environment, Exploitation, Human Rights, violence

The Philippines has become one of the most prominent global hubs for livestreamed child sexual abuse. Fueled by extreme poverty, family complicity, and unchecked internet expansion, children are exploited in real-time for foreign predators. Weak enforcement and corruption leave a large number of children at risk, with survivors facing lifelong trauma. Without stronger laws and […]

Generations of children growing up in the Kakuma Refugee Camp 

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

Kakuma Refugee Camp, located in northwestern Kenya, has evolved from a temporary shelter into one of the world’s largest refugee settlements. Originally intended to house displaced individuals fleeing conflicts in Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, the camp now hosts refugees from various nations. Among them, there are many children facing severe challenges in accessing their fundamental […]

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

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Exploitation, 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 England and Wales

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 England and Wales. 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 […]

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, Exploitation, 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, Exploitation, 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 […]

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

Posted on Posted in Children's Rights, Exploitation, 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 […]

The reality of childhood in Sahrawi refugee camps

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

The Sahrawi refugee crisis, one of the world’s longest-lasting humanitarian emergencies, continues to this day, with no resolution in sight. Thousands of Sahrawi children grow up in refugee camps, deprived of fundamental rights such as access to quality education, stable living conditions, and a sense of security. While international aid has provided essential support, much […]