Our actions to protect children

In many countries, especially in conflict zones such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Colombia, and Haiti, children face daily threats to their safety and well-being. Terre des Hommes Suisse works to create protective environments through prevention, early identification, and comprehensive care.

In 2024, we trained nearly 180,000 children to recognise and respond to violence, raised awareness among over 86,000 adults about positive parenting, and directly supported almost 7,500 young victims of discrimination, violence, or exploitation.

Prevention: Building Safer Communities

We believe communities have the power to protect their children. Through children’s clubs, schools, and safe spaces, we reduce exposure to domestic violence, armed group recruitment, and early marriage. Age-appropriate training equips children with self-protection skills and resilience.

In Burkina Faso, community protection units and parent forums encourage alternatives to violent discipline, while in Haiti, child-friendly spaces offer displaced children a place to heal through play, art, and psychosocial support.

Identification: Acting Before It’s Too Late

Local partners, youth leaders, and peer groups play a critical role in spotting danger early. In India, young leaders intervene to prevent early marriages, while in Senegal, children led a campaign that secured 800 legal judgements granting official identity—an essential safeguard for their rights.

Care: Helping Victims Rebuild

When harm has already occurred, we provide integrated support. In Senegal, reception centres assist vulnerable children, while in Bolivia, the Mujeres en busca de Justicia programme offers legal, social, and psychological assistance to women and children. Nearly 40% of cases result in tangible outcomes, from legal protection to family reunification and emotional recovery. Protecting children means more than shielding them from harm—it means giving them the chance to heal, grow, and shape their own future.

Our impact in a few key figures

179’600

Children and young people trained to recognise, prevent and respond to situations of violence.

86’700

parents, teachers, and community members have been educated by Terre des Hommes Suisse and its partners.

7’450

Children and young people who are victims of discrimination, violence or exploitation have received direct support or been referred to the appropriate social services.

"I don't receive any more beatings at home, thanks to the awareness-raising meetings in which my parents took part at school; they learned about children's rights to protection against violence"

Guerty, 12 years old

Haiti

Terre des Hommes Suisse’s work in relation to the right to protection falls within the framework of sustainable development goals 5 (gender equality) and 16 (peace, justice and effective institutions).

Act with us

Do you care about respecting children’s rights ?

Get involved with us to help us carry out our mission.

Together, let’s enable vulnerable children to have access to education, protection and care and to be listened to in decisions that affect them.

Every action counts and makes a difference in a child’s life.

Thank you from the bottom of our heart!