Free education is one of the most powerful tools to combat child labor. As we mark #WorldDayAgainstChildLabour, governments should back a new global education treaty that would guarantee free education for every child. My new piece in @passblue.bsky.social: passblue.com/2026/06/10/f...
Great news! Oklahoma just became the 17th US state to ban all child marriage. Previously, the minimum age for marriage was ZERO. Congrats to Unchained at Last and other advocates for this victory! More here: www.unchainedatlast.org/oklahoma-jus...
Today is #WorldDayAgainstChildLabour and 138 million children are still in child labor worldwide. What is one of the most important things governments can do? Ensure free education for every child. More: passblue.com/2026/06/10/f...
10 years after a landmark US Supreme Court case limiting extreme sentences for children, a new report from @thecfsy.bsky.social assesses progress and gaps.
The plaintiff, Henry Montgomery, says, "Men who have done 20, 30, 40 years, it's time for them to come home."
cfsy.org/media-resour...
For more than 3 years, @hrw.org has been calling on the government of Trinidad and Tobago to bring home its nationals -- mostly women and children -- detained in NE Syria. We renew our call as Trinidadians and other detainees face escalating abuse and attacks. www.hrw.org/news/2026/02...
1 in 3 Liberian children never attend school, and only 17% complete grade 9. A big reason why: registration fees. Our new @hrw.org report shows how fees cause children to start school years late, drop out, and resort to child labor.
More here: www.hrw.org/news/2026/05...
Recruitment of children by Haitian criminal groups tripled last year. With a near total absence of the state, criminal groups use threats and material incentives to force children into criminal activity, sexual abuse, and sexual slavery
www.hrw.org/news/2026/02...
At the end of a rough year, @hrw takes stock of good news for kids from 2025. Countries banned child marriage, prohibited corporal punishment, and expanded free education and protections in armed conflict, showing progress is possible.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/12...
Jo Becker
The number of out-of-school children has risen for 7 years in a row, reaching 273 million. A proposed free education treaty could push countries to act.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/04...
Oklahoma just became the 17th state where we have helped to ban child marriage! Gov. Kevin Stitt declined to sign or veto the bill the legislature sent him to make the marriage age 18, no exceptions —...
Since 2019, more than 90 Trinidad and Tobago nationals, including at least 50 children, have been arbitrarily detained in northeast Syria for alleged links to the Islamic State (ISIS).
Registration fees and other costs to attend public schools in Liberia are a major barrier to education, forcing many children to delay enrollment, miss school, or drop out altogether.
A new United Nations report details how criminal groups in Haiti are exploiting the near-total absence of the state, as well as widespread hunger and violence, to recruit children who then face abuse.
Each year, Human Rights Watch reflects on progress in children’s rights worldwide. From better access to education to stronger protections in wartime, these are some highlights from 2025.
Toxic lead from a Zambian mine has poisoned generations of children. This week @hrw.org & IHRDA will spotlight the case & call for justice:
PANEL: Spotlight on Kabwe
🗓 16 April 09h00 – 10h40
📍 ACERWC CSO Forum, Lesotho
With experts, activists & Kabwe residents
Join online tinyurl.com/458yy5kd
Jo Becker
Jo Becker
Jo Becker
Jo Becker
A new United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) report delivers a sobering message: the number of children out of school has risen for the seventh consecutive year, re...
