UNICEF Director Catherine Russell publicly warned that global funding cuts to health services are endangering pregnant women in vulnerable regions, and called for increased investment in midwives, nurses, and community health workers to avert preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

In response to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar and amidst significant cuts to US foreign aid, UNICEF mobilized internal resources to provide immediate humanitarian support, including shelter, food, and medical assistance, to affected communities.

UNICEF highlights the urgent need to eliminate child labour by 2025, detailing collaborative initiatives with governments, the private sector, and civil society to address this human rights violation.

On March 5, 2025, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell warned that announced and anticipated funding cuts by donor countries will limit UNICEF’s capacity to aid millions of vulnerable children. In her statement, she called on donors to maintain critical support, emphasizing the humanitarian need to protect children amid global crises.

UNICEF announces a major initiative to combat child labour by collaborating with governments, private sector, international donors, and civil society to eliminate child labour by 2025. This effort underscores the organization's commitment to protecting children's rights and promoting ethical labor practices globally.

UNICEF’s initiative to safeguard children in conflict zones emphasizes a strong commitment to humanitarian aid and ethical responsibility, countering authoritarian practices that threaten vulnerable populations.

UNICEF published a guidance report on its Child Rights and Business page aimed at assisting businesses, policymakers, and stakeholders in meeting SDG Target 8.7 by eradicating child labour by 2025. The report emphasizes responsible business practices and addresses broader deprivations of children's rights.

UNICEF USA has published a comprehensive resource repository that outlines a child labor compliance framework. The guidelines are designed to help companies identify, assess, and remediate child labor risks within U.S. supply chains through stakeholder mapping, governance, and tailored compliance practices. The framework emphasizes worker-driven systems, training, and robust monitoring, aligning with both international and U.S. human rights standards.

UNICEF USA has released a comprehensive framework to address child labor within domestic supply chains. The framework outlines clear guidelines for stakeholder engagement, risk assessment, and compliance measures to protect child rights, demonstrating a robust commitment to labor standards and ethical supply chain management.

UNICEF published a report offering guidance to businesses and policymakers on eliminating child labour by adopting child rights‐based approaches and responsible business practices in sectors such as cobalt, cocoa, and cotton.

UNICEF promotes a multisectoral approach aimed at ending child labour by integrating programming across education, social protection, and child protection, while also emphasizing the importance of labor market policies and business practices to address the root causes of child labour.

UNICEF is actively working on multiple fronts to protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse. The organization supports coordinated national responses, partners with governments to advocate for necessary digital regulation, and collaborates with technology companies to develop safer online tools and industry guidelines.

UNICEF is actively engaging with businesses, governments, and other stakeholders to promote responsible practices in global supply chains that protect children's rights and combat exploitative labor practices. By advocating for improved labor laws, enhancing due diligence across supply chains, and driving systemic reforms, the initiative aims to reduce child labour and ensure ethical sourcing practices.

UNICEF, as part of its Good Governance of Children's Data project, released a report analyzing how governments deploy digital surveillance on children. The study outlines the differential impact of surveillance on minors versus adults and offers reform ideas to ensure child rights and privacy, challenging practices that may support authoritarian control.

UNICEF has been named the official child rights organization for the Baku European Games in Azerbaijan. The arrangement has drawn sharp criticism from human rights advocates and political officials who argue that by lending its name, UNICEF is inadvertently supporting the authoritarian regime’s propaganda and repressive practices.

UNICEF is actively promoting responsible business conduct by addressing child labour in global supply chains. The initiative underscores a multisectoral approach by collaborating with governments, the private sector, and civil society to enhance labor rights, introduce robust labour market policies, and foster decent working conditions.

The article highlights UNICEF's longstanding advocacy and recent push for responsible business conduct in global supply chains aimed at eradicating child labour. It details how UNICEF promotes a multisectoral approach—encompassing education, social protection, labour market policies, and responsible purchasing practices—to address the root causes of child labour and enhance children's rights.