UNICEF: record number of grave violations of children's rights in conflicts recorded in 2025

Record figures as the mandate marks its 30th anniversary

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell spoke on Monday at a UN Security Council briefing in Hamilton, Canada, held to mark the 30th anniversary of the report by Mozambican human rights advocate Graça Machel on the impact of armed conflict on children. According to her, despite the protection system created by the international community, the reality for children in conflict zones is becoming increasingly dangerous, and they «cannot wait another 30 years for the protection they have been promised».

The numbers: violations and denial of humanitarian access

Russell presented monitoring data: since 2005, the UN has verified more than 430,000 grave violations of children's rights in armed conflicts, of which more than 38,000 occurred in 2025. The highest number of violations last year was recorded in Palestine, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Nigeria. She stressed that these are only verified cases and that the actual scale, in her assessment, is larger. Separately, more than 44,000 incidents of denial of humanitarian access have been recorded since 2005, including more than 8,000 in 2025 — according to the UNICEF chief, the ability to reach children is being undermined precisely when they need protection the most.

Explosive weapons and the role of government forces

More than 70% of verified child victims in 2025 were caused by explosive weapons, which, as Russell noted, not only kill and maim but also destroy schools, hospitals, and water systems, with consequences felt long after hostilities end. The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, Virginia Gamba's successor Vanessa Frazier, specified: in 2025 the UN verified 38,558 grave violations affecting 24,174 children — the highest figure since the mandate was established. For the first time in its history, the majority of violations were committed by government forces, which Frazier called deeply alarming, emphasizing that no party is exempt from the obligation to protect children.

Progress achieved and a call to action

Alongside the alarming statistics, Frazier recalled the results of three decades of work: more than 40 action plans have been signed with parties to conflicts, thanks to which over 220,000 children have been released from armed forces and groups and handed over to civilian child protection structures. Russell, describing current trends as «deeply alarming», stressed that they are «not inevitable»: progress is possible when political will is backed by sustained engagement and concrete action by member states. She called on the Security Council to act immediately.