Child protection

"It has been four years since I became a part of this great journey, and I am always grateful to have the role of UNICEF Regional Ambassador for East Asia and the Pacific . One of the most honorable jobs on Earth is to advocate for children and their rights. "This time, I also speak as a UNICEF NextGen Global Principal to the theme of "ASEAN 2045…

Tackling violence against children is critical in every country’s response to and recovery from COVID-19 in East Asia and the Pacific. Efforts to regain lost ground in education, early childhood development and mental health will be undermined if the protection of children from violence is neglected. The consequences of this failure will be felt…

As violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and family breakdown increased during COVID-19 and containment measures imposed to halt its spread, social workers were at the front line of the response putting themselves in harm’s way to provide vital support. While their critical role in assisting and protecting the most vulnerable children and…

The world as we know it has changed. Not for generations have we seen so many people impacted at the same time by the same thing: COVID-19. Although COVID-19 unleashed itself at alarming speed around the world, it has not – and it will not – impact everyone equally. Already, we’ve witnessed the countless ways this insidious virus has laid bare the…, Recover., Most urgently, we must keep all children physically safe and mentally well, including the most disadvantaged – those living with disabilities, migrant children, and children of ethnic minorities. Practically, this means supporting those children whose underlying health issues make them vulnerable to the virus. Programmes, such as WASH -- water,…, Rebound., Knowing that health systems are currently stretched to capacity, we must find innovative ways to ‘make space’ for children’s health and wellbeing because many vital face-to-face services, such as immunization and nutrition programmes, are partially or fully suspended. While most schools remain shut, many children and adolescents struggle to learn…, Reimagine., For me this is where the biggest challenge – and the biggest opportunity – is. Without additional investment in children, we risk losing the hard-won development gains of recent years that have seen ever more children survive and thrive. Without that investment, the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and all their promise, will fade in front of…

People around the world are being asked to stay home and this can be a testing time. Young people, adults and caregivers are being asked to study and work from home, and adapt their lives to help contain the spread of COVID-19. Being confined for any extended period can be difficult. Our normal routines and schedules are disrupted and regular…

Siwon Choi, star of Korean boyband Super Junior, has been unveiled as UNICEF East Asia and Pacific’s new Regional Ambassador at an event in Laos. Over the last four years, Siwon Choi has been committed to children’s issues through his role as Special Representative for UNICEF Korea. In this capacity, Mr. Choi has travelled extensively across the…, Video: Siwon Choi on the CRC@30, Promoting and protecting the rights of #EveryChild, siwon choi with unicef UNICEF/2019/Symoukda   "As you all know, 1989 was the year that global leaders made a promise to the world’s children with an international agreement on childhood," said Mr Choi.   "Thirty years on, child rights have not changed, they have no expiry date. But childhood has changed. Childhood in 2019 looks very different from…