Historically

After the 2nd WW the need was to bring a int. organization so The United Nations (UN) established a program
aimed to provide the basic necessities of life to famine and disease ridden children in Europe[1]. On the 11th of
December, 1946, UNICEF was born[2]. UNICEF was created for the purpose of addressing the needs of
underprivileged children which include diminishing the prevalence of disease, malnutrition, HIV/AIDS and
violence while ensuring all children have access to quality education.

Work Conducted by UNICEF at international level

One stated goal of UNICEF is to combat the inordinate number of young child and pregnancy related deaths[4].
A large proportion of these deaths occur due to preventable diseases and illnesses, malnutrition, poor
sanitation and a severe lack of medical facilities. In their efforts to minimise the deaths, UNICEF has
established successful, uncomplicated and cost effective involvements within problem areas of the world[6].
Some of these contributions include vaccinations, antibiotics, nutritional supplements, insecticide-treated bed
nets and the implementation of safer and more hygienic practices.
The prominence of HIV and AIDS in underdeveloped countries is another substantial hurdle UNICEF faces[8].
As well as establishing methods of preventing the transmission of HIV, UNICEF also provides protection,
treatment and support for children affected by HIV/AIDS[9]. In conjunction with other child protection
establishments, UNICEF has instigated social protection schemes to increase exposure to education and
health services and aid communities and carers[10].
UNICEF has found the prominence of violence and exploitation of children to be one of the prime crises across
the globe[11]. Issues such as unregistered births, child labour, child marriage, sexual exploitation of children,
female genital mutilation, violence against children and other human rights violations are highly prevalent and
insufficiently recognised and addressed[12]. By providing a protective environment for children and raising
awareness of these child abuses, UNICEF hopes to generate responses and preventative measures to
counteract these violations of children's human rights[13].
Another area UNICEF hopes to address is the lack of quality education available to many children[14].
According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) article 26, education is a basic human right.
Education is the cornerstone of personal and societal development. Implementing the assistance of local,
national and international partners, UNICEF works to guarantee every child is entitled to a quality education,
regardless of gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic background or personal circumstances[16]. Gender equality is
another strong focus as UNICEF works to increase the number of girls with access to education[17]. UNICEF
approaches these educational problems with a rights-based attitude with the hope of improving some of
societies' entrenched inequalities[18]. Priorities have been established by UNICEF to overcome the problems,
which include equal access, universal primary education, gender quality and female education, post-crisis and
emergency education, early childhood development and enhanced educational quality[19]. However, UNICEF
understands that its aims for universal education require a long term global commitment[20].