Threat of War: Children’s rights in situations of armed conflict

Around the world, children living through armed conflicts face unprecedented levels of violence, displacement, and deprivation. From Gaza to Sudan, Myanmar to Ukraine, conflict is robbing millions of children of safety, stability, and their most fundamental rights. Today, nearly 500 million children are growing up in conflict zones, exposed daily to killing and maiming, displacement, hunger, loss of education, and the destruction of their communities. 

The International Children’s Peace Prize 2025 winner, Bana Alabed, from Syria, has courageously raised her voice to represent children in war zones. Having experienced the Syrian Civil War, Bana documented the suffering of children during wars, earning global recognition from global leaders and earning the nickname “The Icon of Aleppo”. Despite immense challenges, Bana remains steadfast in amplifying the voices of war-affected children, urging the world to offer them protection, justice, and hope for a better. 

This factsheet highlights the urgent need for stronger global action to protect children in armed conflict. It examines how existing international frameworks fall short in preventing grave violations and calls on states and international actors to prioritize child safety, ensure accountability for abuses, and place children at the center of peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts.  

Read our report “Threat of War: Children’s rights in situations of armed conflict” to learn more.