Growing Futures: Child Rights and Protection in Action

While global organizations like UNICEF work across countries to protect children’s rights, real change also happens in dedicated places where children can feel safe, supported, and begin to heal. One such place is the Stine Sofie Centre in Grimstad, Norway. It’s a warm and welcoming center for children who have experienced violence or abuse, where they can stay with a trusted adult for several days of care, support, and recovery. The environment is designed to feel safe and child-friendly, with spaces such as a sensory garden, a climbing wall, play areas, and shared meal times that create a sense of comfort and normalcy. Rather than a clinical setting, the center focuses on connection and trust. Instead, they engage children through play, laughter, conversation, and guided activities, helping them build confidence, feel heard, and gain a sense of safety and strength.

The leaders in Taiwan came up with a really clever idea. School costs a lot of money, and if families can’t pay, kids might miss out. So the Ministry of Education started giving families up to NT$17,000 (US$520) per semester to help pay for private high schools.

Over in Sub-Saharan Africa, an organization called the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), is working to support girls’ education in some of the world’s most underserved communities. After graduation, many students join a powerful alumnae network called CAMA. Here’s the inspiring part — each graduate is encouraged to support at least three more girls to go to school every year.

In Scotland, the Scottish Youth Parliament gives young people a voice in national issues. Through their advocacy, they contributed to a historic legal change: a law that made it illegal for adults to physically punish children. This is a powerful example of how children’s voices can help drive real policy change.