McGill Students for UNICEF

What is UNICEF and Why Does it Matter?

9/25/2026

Author: Victor Villanueva
Editor: Doria Rafolisisoa, a third year Political Science student.

Image Source: UNICEF Canada, « Comment contribuer à façonner l’avenir ? », March 14th 2024. UNICEF Canada — article source

The United Nations Child Emergency Fund, more commonly known as UNICEF, was founded in 1946 following the end of the Second World War. It was initially set up as a means to bring emergency relief to mothers and children facing hardships during the post-war reconstruction. UNICEF has expanded to not only deliver healthcare, food, and clothing, but also provide education, economic and social rights, and aid children suffering from the effects of climate change. Operating in over 190 countries, UNICEF supports the well-being of children around the world, while simultaneously strengthening their ability to have fulfilling futures. As a member state, UNICEF Canada is essential in empowering UNICEF to thrive, ensuring its capacity to effectively fulfill its humanitarian mission across Canada and globally.

We partner with UNICEF as a student-led club on campus. UNICEF McGill understands the importance of advancing children’s rights and global development. Our initiatives aim to actively work towards ensuring that UNICEF has the resources to reach and help as many people as it can. We work diligently to uphold the mission of funding impactful change. Every dollar raised by our fundraisers goes directly to UNICEF. With a focus on Montreal, we understand that often people miss what is happening around them, especially in such a large metropolis. As a result, we seek to bring attention to matters that are not frequently learned about. As part of the MSFU, our operations pursue the spread of advocacy regarding UNICEF as an organization. Together, we work to build tangible change.

What Can You Do?
McGill Students for UNICEF hosts a variety of events and opportunities that are open to everyone. This year, you can look forward to advocacy events, speaker events, fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, and much more!

Join Us for Our First Event of the Semester: Advocacy 101.
Join us on September 30 for our first event of the semester: Advocacy 101!
The event will feature speakers from the McGill Youth Advisory Delegation (MYAD). You’ll also have the opportunity to meet this year’s executive committee, network with fellow UN-affiliated students, and learn the ins and outs of youth advocacy.
Come learn, connect, and discover how you can make a difference through advocacy!

Fill Out Our General Member Form!
Want to get more involved? Fill out our General Member Form to stay connected and explore the many ways you can participate throughout the year.
Volunteer opportunities include article writing. If there’s a pressing issue in the world that you’re passionate about and want to write about, don’t hesitate to get involved! Selected articles will be featured on our blog and contribute to our end-of-year Journal launch.

Follow Our Instagram & Stay Updated!
Follow our Instagram to stay up to date on upcoming events, meetings, and opportunities to get involved. We regularly post updates to help you stay in the loop.
You can also attend our General Members’ Meeting, which takes place monthly and is completely volunteer-based.
We look forward to seeing you at our events and welcoming you to the McGill Students for UNICEF community!

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For Every Girl & Every Woman, Everywhere: Honouring International Women’s Day

3/31/2026

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Author: Théry Flora Gahimana is a second-year student studying Political Science and International Development. Her key interests include global health, international policy, and international relations. She has decided to introduce this year’s emergency fund with a focus on health, as she believes, “discussing child health disparities, especially during periods of conflict, is crucial. Without proper health conditions, children face lifelong risks that ripple across communities and nations.”

What is International Women's Day?
Celebrated each year on March 8th, International Women’s Day recognizes the contributions and impact of women worldwide. This day is dedicated not only to the mothers, daughters, sisters, and mentors who shape our personal lives, but to the countless women whose influence defines our societies. What began in the mid twentieth century, amid labour strikes and political activism, has grown into a global movement. In 2026, this day will mark the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, highlighting decades of international advocacy for gender equality. International Women’s Day serves as both a celebration and a call to action. A moment to acknowledge the numerous contributions of women, while confronting the inequalities that persist.
Why Should We Celebrate International Women's Day?
Since the 1960s, women have expanded their presence across nearly every sector of society, from politics and law to healthcare and science. I write this article standing on the shoulders of women who fought to claim their voices in journalism and literature, such as Ida B. Wells, the fearless journalist and activist who exposed injustices through literature in the late 19th century. Their courage transformed the act of writing into a powerful declaration of equality and freedom, proving that women’s words can challenge norms and reshape society. To this day, women like her continue to break barriers, serving as central drivers of social development. Yet recognition of this progress must not obscure the work that remains.
Despite decades of advocacy, millions of girls still face barriers to secondary education, economic opportunities, and bodily autonomy simply because of their gender. Global disparities further magnify these inequalities: where a girl is born can profoundly shape the opportunities available to her and the extent to which she can achieve her goals. The gains of the past are undeniable, but they remain uneven and far from complete. Organizations like UNICEF Canada continue to stress that gender equality is not symbolic; it directly determines whether girls complete their education and whether women can safely participate in the workforce. Programs such as UNICEF Canada’s Women Unlimited provide mentorship, resources, and leadership opportunities for women and girls, demonstrating how targeted initiatives can foster empowerment and create pathways for long-term impact.
Honouring Women, Empowering Children
International Women’s Day is not merely a celebration of past achievements; it is an annual reminder. While acknowledging the disparities that persist worldwide is crucial, this day is not meant to dwell in despair. Instead, it serves to understand the remaining obstacles and to commit to overcoming them. Honouring girls today means standing up for the women of tomorrow. It means ensuring that access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities is a right for all, not a privilege for some.
Progress was never accidental; it was demanded, fought for, and earned by generations of women who refused to be silenced. Today, we carry that legacy forward by challenging inequality wherever it exists, amplifying voices that are often unheard, and building structures that empower the next generation. International Women’s Day is a reminder that the work of justice persists, and that each of us has a role to play in shaping a more equitable world. Every step toward gender equality today creates a world where children everywhere can see brighter and dream bigger.
Want to Learn More about International Women’s Day?

Read About the Significance of International Women’s Day
Learn About UNICEF’s Role in Promoting Female Education
Learn About UNICEF Canada’s Women Unlimited Program

Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF Representative to Lao PDR, with a group of students at the Patuxay Monument in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, on World Children's Day 2023.

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The Price of War for Yemen’s Children: How War Is Stealing Childhood

2/9/2026

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Yemen’s current civil war erupted in 2015, setting off a decade of conflict. What began as Houthi insurgents seizing control of the capital, Sana’a, triggered a broader conflict involving the internationally recognized Yemeni government and a Saudi-led coalition. What followed was not only sustained fighting, but airstrikes, economic collapse, and blockades that severed access to food, medicine, and education. While political negotiations begin and fall apart, children remain trapped in a war that dismantles the systems meant to keep them alive and learning.. Hunger, a preventable disease, and lost schooling have become defining features of childhood in Yemen.
Food Insecurity and Child HealthYemen’s war has created one of the most severe food crises in the world. The destruction of agriculture, rising food prices, and restrictions on imports have pushed millions of families into extreme hunger. For children, the consequences are immediate and life-threatening. Chronic malnutrition has weakened immune systems, leaving young children vulnerable to diseases such as cholera, measles, and diarrhea. These exposures are even more devastating when paired with the deteriorating conditions of health facilities. Many hospitals have been damaged or forced to shut down, while those still functioning often lack basic supplies, electricity, or trained staff. Without consistent access to nutritious food or healthcare, malnutrition and illness reinforce one another, placing children in a continuous cycle of poor health and heightened mortality risk.
Education in CollapseAs the conflict drags on, education has become another casualty of war. Thousands of schools have been destroyed, repurposed as shelters, or abandoned due to insecurity. Teachers, many of whom are unpaid for years, are unable to continue working, which forces children out of classrooms and into labour, early marriage, or prolonged displacement. For millions of Yemeni children, schooling has been interrupted or entirely erased, limiting literacy, social development, and future economic opportunities. The absence of education not only deepens poverty but also removes a critical protective space for children coping with trauma and instability.
How Is This a Violation of Children’s Rights?Access to food, healthcare, and education are fundamental rights guaranteed under international law. In Yemen, these rights have been systematically stripped away by years of conflict. Children are denied adequate nutrition, exposed to preventable diseases, and deprived of learning environments essential to their development. As the war continues, the long-term consequences grow more severe, threatening to entrench cycles of poverty, poor health, and lost opportunity for generations to come.

What Is Being Done to Support Yemeni Children?
Despite immense challenges, humanitarian organizations continue to respond. UNICEF, alongside its partners, delivers life-saving nutrition treatment, vaccinations, and access to clean water to over 6 million children across Yemen. Emergency health clinics and mobile medical teams work to reach displaced families in remote and hard-to-access areas. In parallel, education initiatives support temporary learning spaces and provide incentives for teachers, helping children remain connected to schooling despite ongoing disruptions. At Alnoor School in Taiz, children received school bags and stationery through UNICEF-supported distributions reaching 9,000 students across 72 schools in the governorate. These interventions are vital in preventing further loss of life and safeguarding children’s futures in the midst of continued instability. Children in Yemen deserve peace and access to education.

What Can I Do?If you want to learn more about the crisis in Yemen or help support children affected by the conflict, please explore the resources below:

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Healing the future: Angkor Hospital for Children and its changing face of Pediatric Care in Cambodia

11/17/2025

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Written by Thelma Caye: Thelma Caye is an undergraduate student in her last semester pursuing a bachelor political science, hispanic and communication studies, passionate about human rights (especially children’s rights) and international relations.

In the heart of Siem Reap, Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) is quietly transforming the landscape of pediatric healthcare in Cambodia. Since its founding in 1999, the hospital has grown from a small outpatient clinic to one of the country’s only teaching hospitals, providing free, compassionate, and world-class care to children regardless of their families’ financial means.
I have had the pleasure of working with the fundraising department of the hospital and, was able to clearly see AHC’s mission: every child, rich or poor, deserves the right to be healthy. This vision drives its extensive operations, from treating over 50,000 children each year with outpatient services, to saving hundreds of critically ill infants through their surgical and neonatal care units.
Collaborative research projects with partners such as the University of Oxford and the National University of Singapore have positioned AHC at the forefront of innovation in low-resource medical practice.
One recent initiative introduced a groundbreaking triage tool tailored to Cambodia’s context, allowing physicians to rapidly assess a child’s health risk upon admission, a critical advancement in preventing avoidable deaths. The hospital’s educational role is equally significant. As a Ministry of Health teaching hospital, AHC provides pediatric training for medical and nursing students from Cambodia and abroad. Through mentorship and clinical rotations, it helps build the nation’s future medical workforce, equipped not only with technical expertise, but with values of empathy and community service.

Yet AHC’s influence extends well beyond its hospital’s walls. Through community outreach programs, it addresses the deeper social determinants of child health, from nutrition and hygiene education to disease prevention and blood donation advocacy. In collaboration with local leaders, the hospital’s community center in Siem Reap delivers vital health education sessions and preventive care services to families in under-resourced areas.
During periods of unrest, AHC has demonstrated remarkable resilience and solidarity. In the wake of the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, when thousands of families were displaced and humanitarian needs surged, AHC mobilized staff and medical supplies to support emergency care and child health services along the border. Its team worked alongside local and international agencies to treat children suffering from injuries, malnutrition, and trauma-related conditions, underscoring the hospital’s unwavering commitment to serve communities even in times of crisis.
This grassroots approach complements Cambodia’s impressive national progress in maternal and child health. Over the last decade, the country has reduced under-five mortality by more than 50% , exceeding global averages and achieving its Sustainable Development Goal targets ahead of schedule. However, challenges such as child malnutrition and unequal access to specialized care persist, gaps that organizations like AHC are working tirelessly to close.
What sets AHC apart is its sustainable model rooted in partnership and community support. The hospital relies largely on donations and endowment contributions to fund its operations and maintain the quality of care that makes it a national leader. Through initiatives such as the annual Angkor Wat Marathon and diverse local and international fundraising campaigns, the team I was part of at AHC, mobilizes collective action and community spirit to uphold its mission. Individuals around the world can take part in these efforts by joining or supporting fundraisers like Run the Angkor Wat Half Marathon for AHC International and learning more about the hospital’s work through its awareness campaigns as it harnesses collective energy to sustain its mission.
For many Cambodian families, Angkor Hospital for Children is more than a healthcare facility, it is a symbol of hope. With its ongoing commitment to medical education, research, and outreach, AHC continues to redefine what is possible for children’s health in Cambodia, ensuring that life-saving care and the promise of a healthier future reach every child, no matter where they are born.

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National Children’s Day 2025: Why Knowing Children’s Rights Matters

11/17/2025

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By Théry Flora Gahimana
Established in 1989, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) recognizes the human rights of children, outlining their fundamental freedoms regardless of their religion, race, or abilities. Signed by a total of 196 countries, the convention serves as a stepping stone towards ensuring child rights are protected globally. November 20th marks the day Canada celebrates National Children’s Day, a moment dedicated to commemorating its signature of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991.
Why Does National Children’s Day Matter?
Childhood is one of the most pivotal periods in a person’s life. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that a child’s environment, lifestyle, and daily experiences play a crucial role in early development, shaping health and well-being throughout adulthood. National Children’s Day is therefore more than a symbolic occasion; it serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to uphold children’s rights, ensuring that every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment. As UNICEF stresses, children are the future of the world we will leave behind, and investing in their security and protection today is essential for building a stronger, more equitable tomorrow. This commitment begins with awareness and education to better understand what child rights are and their underlying purpose. It is for this exact reason that we have chosen to highlight one of the CRC’s fundamental provisions: Article 42.
Making Children’s Rights Known: Article 42 of the Convention
Article 42 requires State governments to actively inform both children and adults about the Convention on the Rights of the Child, so that individuals remain aware of their rights and when to enforce them (Article 42, United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989). Understanding children’s rights is the first step for the youth to become active and empowered participants in society. Article 42 emphasizes that knowing one’s rights is not optional; children need to recognize when their rights are respected or violated. However, the responsibility does not fall solely on children. We must emphasize that adults, parents, educators, policymakers, and communities should also be aware of the Convention and actively promote its implementation. Without adult guidance and support, children cannot fully understand or exercise their rights. Therefore, promoting knowledge of the Convention among adults ensures that children grow up in environments where their rights are consistently respected and upheld.
When both children and adults are aware of the standards set by the CRC, it fosters a cycle of accountability and protection. It creates a community where violations can be addressed and children’s voices are consistently heard. In practice, this dual awareness shapes everyday life: from schools teaching children about their rights to governments that publicize the Convention, these actions make Article 42 a living principle. UNICEF emphasizes that raising awareness of children’s rights is not only an investment in individual empowerment but also in society’s fairness and equality. Awareness begins with simple steps: taking the time to learn, listen, and speak up when it matters. Even small actions, like reading the Convention or sharing its message, can meaningfully strengthen a child’s protection. Together, these efforts can spark real, lasting change.
Want to Learn More about Child’s Day and the Convention on Children’s Rights?

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Bringing UNICEF’s Mission to the McGill Campus

11/4/2025

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What Is UNICEF, and Why Does It Matter?🌍
Founded in 1946 in the aftermath of World War II, the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established to protect and support children facing precarious conditions. What began as an emergency initiative has since evolved into a global force protecting children's human rights through sustainable development strategies. From education to clean water and emergency relief, UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, ensuring that children not only survive life’s most urgent challenges, but ultimately thrive within their communities.
As one of UNICEF’s global agencies, UNICEF Canada carries this mission forward. It serves as a national branch dedicated to fundraising, advocacy, and public engagement within Canada. For decades, it has helped mobilize support and resources that contribute directly to UNICEF’s work around the world. Together, these institutions work toward a world where every child’s future is protected.

McGill Students for UNICEF: Our Mission📚
McGill Students for UNICEF is a student-run club proudly affiliated with UNICEF Canada. As McGill students, we recognize the power and privilege of our platform, and we utilize it to amplify the voices of children and communities that are often unheard. Through campus events and fundraising initiatives, we strive to inspire action and spark meaningful conversations about global child welfare. Every dollar we raise goes directly toward UNICEF’s valuable work in Canada, supporting children and women worldwide.

How Can You Get Involved and Make a Difference?
We organise a range of activities, events, and volunteer opportunities throughout the school year, all dedicated to advancing UNICEF’s mission on and off campus. If you’re looking to get involved and make a meaningful impact, here’s how you can join us:

Follow us on Instagram to stay updated on upcoming events, volunteer initiatives, and ways to support our work.
Attend our bi-weekly general member meetings, held every Monday from 6:30 PM to 7:00 PM in the University Centre (Room 106), to connect, learn, and plan with our team.

Join our Facebook group chat for direct updates on events, fundraisers, and involvement opportunities throughout the semester.

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Sudan’s War Through the Eyes of Its Children: A Fight to Protect Their Future

10/27/2025

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Children play at a UNICEF-supported child-friendly space (CFS) in the Alhatana neighbourhood, Omdurman, Khartoum State, Sudan, 5 April 2025. © UNICEF/UNI779552/Ahmed MohamdURL: https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/04/1162226

In 2023, a significant power struggle erupted within Sudan’s borders, marking the country’s descent into a devastating civil war. The conflict pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. What began as a dispute over merging the RSF into the national army quickly spiralled into nationwide warfare. Conflict has been most prevalent in the capital, Khartoum, and across Darfur, where the RSF draws its roots. Both armed forces have been charged with grave human rights violations, including indiscriminate attacks on civilians. The civil war has turned a political conflict into a humanitarian catastrophe for the young. It has not only displaced millions but dismantled critical health services, exposing the country’s children to an unprecedented public health emergency.

Health Care Systems
The continuing civil war in Sudan has displaced over 15 million people, leaving children to suffer its most severe consequences. Over the past 3 years, conflict-driven inflation has left families unable to sustain nourishment, leaving over 4 million children under the age of 5 to suffer from malnutrition. Meanwhile, relentless attacks on local homes and education systems have left millions of families to fend for themselves. These detrimental conditions have taken a toll on child development in Sudan, creating long-term survival risks, including deaths due to common illnesses such as diarrhea. The eruption of violence has led most local health services to collapse, meaning sanitary resources, like vaccination coverage, are inaccessible. Together, the lack of food security, safe drinking water, and adequate protection has left millions of Sudanese children highly vulnerable to life-threatening diseases.

Mental Health
A growing mental health crisis, driven by escalating threats against civilians such as theft and violent assaults, has emerged as one of the war’s most devastating consequences. The conflict has left countless displaced children and adolescents struggling with depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. With Sudan’s already fragile mental health systems in collapse, access to psychological care has become almost nonexistent. School closures and economic turmoil have intensified the fear and uncertainty surrounding Sudanese youth. As the conflict persists, an entire generation of children is growing up amid constant instability and loss.

How Is This A Violation Of Children’s Rights?
Stripped of food, safety, and education, millions of children are enduring conditions that violate their most basic rights. What began as a political power struggle has turned into a generation’s undoing. Every day the conflict continues, more children fall victim to hunger, disease, and psychological trauma. In the long run, these conditions will continue to create irreversible trauma for ongoing generations.

What Is Currently Being Done to Aid Sudanese Children?
Despite the devastation, humanitarian organizations continue to fight for Sudan’s youngest victims. UNICEF teams and collaborators provided protection services and psychological counseling for over 2,7 million Sudanese children in 2024. Subsequently, UNICEF led caregivers were able to reach over 9 million families with safe drinking water within the same year. Numerous mobile clinics are treating the sick in makeshift camps, while Save the Children and local partners work to restore education and psychosocial support. Across conflict zones, aid workers are offering safe spaces for children to learn, play, and heal.

What Can I Do?
If you want to learn more about the Sudanese conflict or help provide relief to its affected regions, please follow the links below:

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The Impact of Violence on Children in Haiti

3/26/2025

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Asha Black is a first-year Psychology student minoring in Environment and Behavioral Science. She is passionate about exploring the role of psychology in humanitarian crises and is dedicated to raising awareness for children worldwide.

What is Happening?
Even prior to the current conflict, Haiti was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Now, with the increasing presence of armed groups, the country’s insecurity is only continuing to grow, causing an intense humanitarian crisis, particularly regarding violence against children and adolescents. While primarily in the capital, Port-au-Prince, the armed groups are spreading to other regions, terrorizing families as they fight for land and control.

Effect on Children
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell describes “the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before our eyes” as “taking a devastating toll on children.” It has caused the displacement of over 300,000 children, as well as impairing access to essential services such as healthcare, sanitation, and clean water. Furthermore, it has exposed children to a significantly increased risk of violence, including sexual assault, abuse, exploitation, and family separation. In 2023 alone, at least 167 children died from bullet wounds.

https://infogram.com/1p930lq0rgw5j7t72yp0d01k6lt3gkdzq0y

Their Future
As well as current conditions, this violence has disrupted children’s futures by impairing their access to education. Hundreds of schools have been forced to follow periods of closure and re-opening, often resulting in the use of schools as temporary shelters for the thousands displaced. Children are instead forced to join armed groups either to support their family, as a means of survival following separation from family, or due to threats. Children under 18 are estimated to make up between one-third and half of armed group members—a violation of both human rights and international law.

How is UNICEF Helping?
UNICEF aids in ensuring access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene by trucking clean water to displacement sites across Port-au-Prince. Furthermore, they provide lifesaving vaccines and therapeutic food, as well as support programs and protection services for victims of gender-based violence, separated children, and those associated with armed groups. In terms of education, UNICEF distributes school kits and has implemented a nationwide cash transfer initiative to encourage families to enroll their children in school. In conclusion, UNICEF aims to help children in Haiti by supporting their health—both physical and mental—as well as promoting their access to education.

Sources;
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/07/1151681
https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/crisis-haiti#response
https://www.unicef.org/haiti/en/stories/unicef-responds-escalating-violence-port-au-prince
https://news.un.org/en/story/2024/11/1156826

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The Impact of Taliban’s Morality Laws on Afghan Women and Girls

2/24/2025

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Authors: -Miriam Tadros, is a second year student in the Global Contexts program. She is interested in motivational studies, psychological manifestations of children who have grown up in armed conflict and the deconstruction of hegemonic ideals in educational frameworks. She has decided to introduce this year’s emergency fund as she, " understands the detrimental effects of this conflict on the country’s already vulnerable populations and wishes for international conventions to be enforced. "
-Maya Madhvani, is a third-year student majoring in Psychology and minoring in Business Management. She is passionate about exploring how psychology can drive meaningful social impact, particularly in education and child development. She would like to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Lebanon, this year’s emergency fund; "to support and raise awareness for the children and families affected by the ongoing hardships in the region.

It has now been four years since the Taliban re-established control of Afghanistan and the rigid adoption of the Islamic (Sharia) law as the foundation of the country’s legal framework. The de facto government, which remains unrecognized by the UN, has introduced a series of ‘morality laws’ that govern nearly every aspect of day-to-day life, severely restricting the rights of women and girls.

Taliban's Morality Laws
Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed several laws limiting women’s presence in public life. Women are prohibited from working in most sectors, girls are banned from accessing secondary and higher education, as well as being forbidden to travel without being accompanied by a mahram (close male relative).
In August 2024, the Taliban introduced a new set of regulations titled the “Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice.” These laws further institutionalize gender segregation by prohibiting women from speaking in public and mandating full-body coverage, including their faces, as an attempt to prevent them from looking at males outside of their immediate family. As a result, women are increasingly excluded from all aspects of public life. Four months later, the de facto government formally outlawed women’s access to medical education, closing one of their last remaining pathways to professional advancement. In some provinces, additional restrictions prevent women from receiving medical care from male doctors. These policies have placed countless Afghan women at risk, depriving them of access to necessary medical services.

The Consequences of these Restrictions
These laws contribute to the institutionalized regime of systematic oppression with far-reaching consequences for women and girls in Afghanistan. According to a United Nations (UN) survey, only 1% of women feel they influence community decision-making, and 64% indicate that they do not feel safe in their homes alone compared to 2% of men. Alarmingly, 8% of respondents reported knowing at least one woman or girl who has attempted suicide since August 2021.
The UN has repeatedly called for these oppressive laws and policies to be reversed and to uphold their obligations under international law to ensure the rights of all women and girls. Despite this, the Taliban refuses to regard Morality laws as painstakingly regressive and detrimental to the future of women and girls. The Taliban continues to defend its restrictions, with spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stating that “non-Muslims should educate themselves about Islamic laws and respect Islamic values" before criticizing the regime. To date, no country has formally recognized the Taliban as a legitimate governing body due to their fundamental violations against human rights.

UNICEF's Response and support
UNICEF continues to support all children in Afghanistan. In 2023, they provided almost 700,000 children access to educational services through community-based learning programs. Recognizing the critical role of female educators in ensuring that girls receive an education, UNICEF continues to provide training for female teachers and expand learning opportunities for adolescent girls.

Looking Forward
The Taliban's morality laws have undone decades of progress toward gender equality, leaving Afghan women and girls marginalized, economically dependent, and deprived of basic human rights. Education is more than just an opportunity—it safeguards against early marriage, malnutrition, and health crises while strengthening communities to withstand disasters like floods, droughts, and earthquakes that frequently devastate Afghanistan.

As we are amid the semester, we must reflect upon the value and privilege of education—a right denied to so many Afghan women. The country's future depends on the world’s willingness to challenge this regime, restore dignity to its citizens, and ensure that education and healthcare are accessible to all, rather than only the privileged.

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UNICEF’s Role & Mission

1/27/2025

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Author; Lisa Banti is a second-year International Development and East Asian Studies student at McGill University. Passionate about global equity and social justice, Lisa aims to raise awareness about pressing issues through her writing. She believes “empowering children is key to creating a brighter future for all”.

https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/11/1051791

Every day, 15,000 children around the world lose their lives to preventable causes like malnutrition, disease, and a lack of basic medical care. This staggering statistic underscores the urgency of UNICEF’s mission. The United Nations Children’s Fund, known globally as UNICEF, was created to stand up for children who face unimaginable challenges, and it serves as a lifeline for those most in need.
Through essential resources, rights advocacy, and crisis response, UNICEF strives to make a difference in the lives of children everywhere, regardless of their circumstances. Active in over 190 countries, UNICEF works relentlessly to ensure every child has the opportunity to survive, thrive, and pursue their potential. By addressing these crucial issues, UNICEF stands as a powerful global force addressing the complex realities that millions of vulnerable children live through each day.

Founded in 1946 amidst the post-World War II devastation, UNICEF initially focused on helping children affected by the conflict’s aftermath. Today, its purpose has expanded to advocate broadly for children’s rights, provide humanitarian relief, and deliver aid wherever children’s needs are most urgent. As a fundamental branch of the United Nations, UNICEF leverages its unique position to promote policies that secure and enhance the rights and well-being of children worldwide. With operations spanning over 190 countries, the organization’s reach is as extensive as its mission, embodying the belief that every child—regardless of nationality, race, or socioeconomic status—deserves a fair chance at a fulfilling life. Through diverse, targeted programs, UNICEF strives to make this vision a reality by promoting health, education, and protection for children around the globe.

UNICEF’s work centers around several crucial areas essential to children’s well-being: education, healthcare, nutrition, and protection from violence. The organization’s initiatives address varied, often interlinked needs to support children in multiple ways.
For instance, UNICEF’s immunization campaigns bring life-saving vaccines to remote communities, preventing disease and promoting overall health. Similarly, by improving access to education, especially for girls in under-resourced regions, UNICEF empowers children with skills that pave the way for brighter futures. In response to escalating refugee crises worldwide, such as those in Syria and Afghanistan, UNICEF also delivers emergency medical care, nutritious food, and safe spaces for displaced families. These initiatives do more than meet immediate needs; they lay a foundation for lasting change, equipping children with the resilience and resources necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve long-term well-being.

Over the years, UNICEF has made a profound impact on child welfare globally, significantly reducing child mortality rates and broadening educational access for millions. Since 1990, UNICEF’s immunization efforts alone have helped save the lives of countless children by preventing diseases like measles and polio, exemplifying the organization’s pivotal role in advancing public health.
However, despite these successes, numerous challenges persist. Reaching children in conflict zones, where political instability and violence are rampant, remains difficult and often dangerous. Limited resources in poverty-stricken areas further strain UNICEF’s ability to provide for every child in need.
Additionally, economic inequalities and crises—such as those impacting large refugee populations—highlight how demands for UNICEF’s aid frequently exceed available resources. These ongoing challenges emphasize the need for sustained global support and cooperation to achieve UNICEF’s vision: a world where every child can survive and flourish, free from the threat of preventable hardships.

Through its steadfast commitment to children’s rights and comprehensive humanitarian programs, UNICEF remains a vital advocate for vulnerable children worldwide. By addressing essential needs in health, education, and safety, UNICEF empowers communities to improve the lives of their youngest members, even in challenging environments.
As the demand for humanitarian assistance grows, readers can make a meaningful difference by supporting UNICEF’s efforts—whether through donations, volunteering, or simply by raising awareness of the issues that millions of children face. Together, we can help build a world where every child has the resources and opportunities to reach their potential.

Sources ;
https://www.unicef.org/eu/health
https://www.unicef.org/who-we-are
https://www.unicef.org/history

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