UNICEF Warns of Alarming Rise in Violations Against Children, Calls Safe Education “First Line of Defense”

UNICEF Warns of Alarming Rise in Violations Against Children, Calls Safe Education “First Line of Defense”
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UNICEF has issued a stark warning about an unprecedented increase in serious violations against children in conflict zones worldwide, emphasizing that safe education is the first line of defense against recruitment, exploitation, and the dangers of armed violence.

In a statement released Friday, February 27, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell highlighted that over 500 million children—one in five globally—live in countries affected by war or high levels of violence. Tens of thousands of children are killed or injured each year, while millions more suffer from malnutrition and lack of access to education due to conflicts and direct attacks on schools.

Russell noted that, since the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1612 in 2005, the UN has documented more than 14,000 attacks on schools and around 3,000 cases of military use of educational facilities, averaging nearly two attacks per day over two decades, with half occurring in the past ten years.

UNICEF emphasized that reducing child recruitment requires an integrated approach linking education, protection, and peacebuilding, including safe learning environments, accelerated learning programs, teacher training, psychosocial support, and community engagement.

Russell called on UN member states to endorse the “Safe Schools Declaration”, adopt policies that protect students and teachers, hold violators accountable, and incorporate education into national action plans on children in armed conflict, underscoring that education is essential for safeguarding future generations during crises.