Doha: The development of childhood and the enhancement of children’s rights form a guiding framework towards creating a better world now and in the future. By listening to children, we can fulfill their right to self-expression, understand their ideas for a better world, and include their priorities in our actions today.

According to Qatar News Agency, this year, the world and its international institutions are celebrating World Children’s Day under the theme “Listen to the future. Stand Up for Children’s Rights.” World Children’s Day offers everyone an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote, and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.

World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on 20 November each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improve children’s welfare. November 20th is a significant date as it marks the adoption of the
Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly, and in 1989, the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is one of the leading international organizations active in the field of children’s rights, their development, and protection. UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, focusing on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children who face social challenges and armed conflicts. Since becoming a permanent part of the United Nations system in 1953, UNICEF has launched global campaigns focusing especially on health and education.

UNICEF highlights poverty as a primary concern affecting children disproportionately worldwide. One in every six children globally lives in extreme poverty, earning less than $1.90 per day, with their families struggling to meet basic healthcare costs and nutrition necessary for a strong start in life. In 2019, 149 million children under the age of five suffered from stunting due to malnutri
tion.

Despite significant progress in school enrollment rates in many parts of the world, more than 175 million children are not enrolled in pre-primary education, missing a critical investment opportunity and suffering deep inequalities from the start. UNICEF statistics show that 6 out of 10 children leave primary school without achieving the minimum levels of literacy, writing, or mathematics, a challenge exacerbated in areas affected by prolonged armed conflicts.

For over 20 years, UNICEF has worked to garner support against the recruitment of children in armed conflicts. Thousands of children have been released due to action plans decided by the United Nations Security Council and other measures aimed at ending and preventing the exploitation of children by armed forces and groups. However, significant challenges remain in protecting children affected by armed conflict.

In 2019, 1.6 billion children, or about 69%, lived in conflict-affected countries, with approximately 426 million children residing in
conflict zones. These children face numerous risks, including displacement, separation from their families, forced recruitment, or becoming victims of organized gangs in some fragile states.

In this context, violence against children represents one of the most significant developmental challenges, as it poses a major barrier to achieving basic cultural and educational requirements. This includes the growing issue of bullying via the internet, leading to isolation, loneliness, and fear, particularly among younger children who are more vulnerable because they are less able to speak out and seek support.