Child Protection Systems

Save the Children signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Uganda Chamber of Energy and Minerals in order to strengthen child protection within Uganda’s fast-growing mineral sector. The signing took place in October during the 14th Annual Mineral Wealth Conference held at Serena Kampala.

Every morning in Chiredzi district, located in the southeastern part of Zimbabwe, bordering Mozambique and known for its sugarcane production, 12-year-old Rudo* (not real name) wakes up excited to put on her school uniform and head to school. For her, school is not just lessons- it is a place of hope, friendship, and the promise of a brighter future.

Between January and July 2025, Save the Children Zimbabwe and its partners supported communities to withstand drought, protect livelihoods, and safeguard children’s rights. Farmers in Matobo were equipped with drought-tolerant seeds, animal feed, and improved water systems, helping families recover and sustain their livelihoods. In Bulilima, mothers and children received nutrition support alongside strengthened community health groups, ensuring healthy growth and maternal wellbeing. Across the country, children are gaining new opportunities to read and learn through the distribution of literacy materials, teacher support, and digital learning tools. Communities also became better prepared to prevent cholera outbreaks through mobile awareness campaigns, while child protection structures were strengthened to fight child labour and trafficking. Children themselves played an active role in shaping national conversations on planning and budgeting. These efforts demonstrate Save the Children’s commitment to resilient communities, and a future where every child survives, learns, and is protected. Read our Impact Bulletin here: Save the Children Zimbabwe Impact Bulletin (January-July 2025) - Save the Children’s Resource Centre

Safeguarding the well-being of children and vulnerable adults is one of the most pressing challenges facing Kosovo today. Despite progress in policy and law, too many children continue to experience risks of neglect, violence, and exploitation in their homes, schools, and communities. Strengthening safeguarding is not only a legal duty under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Kosovo’s Child Protection Law, but also a moral responsibility shared by all sectors of society.It was against this backdrop that Save the Children Kosova/o, in collaboration with the University of Prishtina and with support from Sida, convened the Safeguarding Symposium on 17 September 2025 in Prishtina. The event brought together government representatives, academics, civil society, international experts, and most importantly the voices of children, to exchange experiences, explore solutions, and chart practical steps toward safer, more inclusive systems in Kosovo.

Save the Children's local partner in Yemen, The National Union for the Development of the Poor (NUDP), released a new report today exposing the devastating impact of poverty, discrimination, and displacement on the lives of Muhamasheen children in Yemen. Many of these children are denied education and forced into hazardous work to help their families’ survive.

Sixteen-year-old Maobi had never been in a classroom. She was left behind by her mother who returned to Congo three years ago. Having been left behind, Maobi and her siblings were fostered by a compassionate member of a local Child Protection Committee in Nakivale.

Decades of repeated armed conflict since the early 1960s have left behind a deadly legacy of explosive ordnance in Yemen

One in 5 young people in Spain said images of them naked created with Artificial Intelligence were shared online without their consent when they were under 18 and nearly all reported sexual violence of some kind online, according to a Save the Children study.

The growing child protection crisis in Arua District and City prompted urgent action from Save the Children Uganda. Reports indicate that more than 700 child abuse cases are registered every three months, ranging from defilement and neglect to physical abuse-often fueled by poverty, alcoholism, and harmful cultural practices.

The number of children reporting sexual assault after fleeing into Burundi to escape violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has more than tripled this year with aid cuts dramatically reducing the support available, said Save the Children.

Almost 5,000 trained foster families are needed in Ukraine to help children currently living full-time in institutions move into safer family-based care arrangements, especially as the war leaves more children without parental care and at risk of being admitted into institutions, Save the Children said.

Mozambique Takes Another Step Towards Eliminating Child Marriages with a Learning Event Under the Theme “Empowering Girls to Combat Child Marriages”

Across all cultures and ages, children are suspicious of people they don’t know online, and we see them developing strategies to protect themselves. But it shouldn’t be just their responsibility to stay safe online - they need adults, especially their parents and caregivers, to step up and help.

Social workers play a crucial role in child protection, often overlooked by the public. This blog emphasizes the positive impact of social workers who support families and advocate for children's welfare globally and calls for investment in preventative and responsive child protection services to ensure every child thrives ahead of the Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children.