UNICEF has urged the Government of South Sudan to increase investment in essential social services to safeguard children’s rights, warning that millions of young people across the country continue to suffer from preventable hardships linked to poverty, conflict, and chronic underfunding of public systems.
The call comes as the world marks World Children’s Day, an annual event celebrated on 20 November to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
This year’s theme, “My Day, My Right,” emphasizes the universal and non-negotiable nature of children’s rights, regardless of nationality, status, or circumstance.
UNICEF says children in South Sudan face some of the toughest conditions globally, compounded by recurrent climate shocks, insecurity, economic instability, and limited access to basic services such as education, healthcare, nutrition, clean water, and child protection.
“Children are bearing the brunt of multiple shocks that are not of their making,” said Noala Skinner, UNICEF’s Representative in South Sudan.
“Prioritizing domestic investments that support their education, health, nutrition, access to clean and safe water, and protection is key to the development of South Sudan and to upholding the rights of every child.”
Skinner stressed that while donor support remains vital, long-term progress depends on the government’s ability to allocate and execute sufficient budgets for child-focused sectors.
She said deeper and sustained domestic financing is essential for the country to move toward meaningful and lasting improvements.
This year’s World Children’s Day coincides with the G20 Social Summit in South Africa, which UNICEF describes as an important global moment to elevate children’s issues and advocate for stronger political commitments.
To mark the day, UNICEF released its flagship report, “The State of the World’s Children 2025: Ending Child Poverty, Our Shared Imperative.”
The report highlights that child poverty remains widespread despite decades of progress, and warns that recent global crises threaten to reverse gains made in child survival, learning, and protection.
UNICEF says reversing this trend requires stronger national policies and increased investment in systems that support children’s well-being.
As South Sudan joins the global community in celebrating World Children’s Day, UNICEF is urging leaders to take decisive action to protect every child’s right to survive, learn, grow, and thrive.
