The “Sephora Kids” trend, where children, especially tweens and teens, are increasingly using makeup and skincare products marketed by beauty retailers, presents several risks, not only for the physical health of children but also for their mental health. While these...
Children and gang violence on the rise in Haiti
Haitian children are growing up amid relentless violence, displacement, and hunger. Since 2021, gang-related violence has escalated dramatically, reaching record levels in 2025. Entire neighbourhoods have fallen under gang control, forcing families to flee and leaving...
Female genital mutilation (FGM) in Somalia: A harsh daily reality for many girls
Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains widespread in Somalia, affecting nearly all women and girls. It is deeply rooted in cultural, social, and religious traditions, with strong pressure from families and communities, especially around marriage. Some regional laws...
Youth mental health crisis and rising suicide rates in New Zealand
In 2025, New Zealand recorded the highest child suicide rate of any wealthy country. Families across Aotearoa continue to lose young people despite years of public debate and attempts at reform. The problem is part of a wider mental health crisis: recent international...
Progress and challenges in ending female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia
Female genital mutilation (FGM) remains one of the most pressing child protection concerns in The Gambia. Often carried out during infancy or early childhood, the practice inflicts irreversible harm on young girls, threatening their health, survival, and dignity due...
Refugee children and worsening inequality in Jordan
Since 1948, Jordan has hosted successive waves of refugees, most recently Syrians and Palestinians fleeing ongoing conflicts. Early aid provided urgent shelter and support, but the long-term presence of large refugee populations has strained resources and deepened...
Children face sexual abuse amid ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
The eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing a surge in child sexual abuse amid ongoing armed conflict. The region, particularly North and South Kivu, has become the epicentre of a humanitarian disaster where sexual violence is systematically...
Gaza’s children face unprecedented hunger under the ongoing siege
Since the escalation of Israel’s attack on Gaza in October 2023, hunger in the besieged enclave has surged to record levels – with children suffering the most. More than 495,000 people are now facing catastrophic food shortages, and families are surviving on as little...
Unexploded bombs still endanger children in Laos and Cambodia
While the VietnamWar ended over 50 years ago, remnants of unexploded ordnances (UXO) buried across rural areas continue to injure and kill children in Laos and Cambodia. These hidden explosives are found near homes, schools, fields, and forests, making everyday...
The current impact of armed conflict on children’s rights in South Sudan
South Sudan, independent since 2011, continues to be devastated by armed conflicts that severely infringe on children’s rights. Despite a peace agreement and ceasefire in 2020, intermittent clashes (including recent confrontations in early 2025) have caused a surge in...









