This election, vote to ensure every child in Ireland grows up healthy, safe and supported to thrive.
Join the Campaign – Get Your Voter Toolkit Here
#VoteForEveryChild
EVERY CHILD DESERVES A CHILDHOOD
Every child is entitled to grow up in an environment in which they can flourish, feel safe, and dream big – but in Ireland, many children are still missing out on the basics.
Our manifesto is a call to action for candidates to prioritise children’s rights and well-being.
We urge voters to demand that their candidates commit to championing children’s rights and to creating a future where every child is supported to reach their full potential.
Poverty and inequality
Despite living in a wealthy country, many children in Ireland struggle to access their basic rights.
One in every seven children are at risk of living in poverty.
And over 4,000 children are living in emergency accommodation, with hundreds of thousands of children experiencing material deprivation.
OUR VISION
UNICEF Ireland envisions a future where every child’s rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled. By voting for candidates who prioritise child-centred policies, we can create a society where every child has access to education, healthcare, and a safe environment to thrive.
VOTE FOR EVERY CHILD MANIFESTO
We are calling on all candidates to sign up to the #VoteForEveryChild Manifesto, committing to the following actions to promote the rights of all children in Ireland and beyond.
1. Boost Breastfeeding Support
Enhance lactation services, supports, and campaigns to increase Ireland’s low breastfeeding rates, ensuring mums are fully supported to give their newborns the healthiest start in life.
2. Support Children with Developmental Delays
Invest in early intervention services for children with developmental delays, ensuring timely access to therapies and specialist care to help every child reach their full potential.
Tackle child poverty and homelessness by scaling up housing, increasing income supports, and fully implementing Ireland’s Child Guarantee Action Plan.
Allocate substantially more funding to schools, reduce school class sizes, and provide all of the necessary resources so that every child can reach their full potential.
Champion policies that dismantle barriers faced by marginalised children, including Travellers, Roma, and refugees, ensuring all children have equal opportunities.
Invest in mental health services for children, ensuring timely access to support. Address the crisis in child mental health by funding school-based mental health programs and reducing waiting times for services.
Strengthen protections against online hate, discrimination, and misogyny by implementing stronger regulations on social media platforms and providing education on respectful online behaviour.
Lower the voting age to 16 and equip young people with civic education, ensuring they are informed about the issues that shape their future and able to make responsible choices.
Increase Official Development Assistance (ODA) to protect children globally from the threats of poverty, conflicts, and natural disasters.
Take decisive leadership on climate change action at national, EU, and global levels to ensure a bright future for every child across the world.
TAKE ACTION: ADVOCATE FOR CHILD RIGHTS
Engage with Candidates
Ask political candidates how they plan to prioritise child rights if elected. Use our guide to inform your conversations and demand concrete commitments.
Raise Awareness in Your Community
Talk to friends and family about the importance of children in this election or share our digital resources with your network.
Amplify Your Voice Online
Spread the word on social media using #Vote4EveryChild and tag your local representatives to hold them accountable.
Join the #VoteForEveryChild Campaign
Sign up today to receive our comprehensive Voter Toolkit—a downloadable resource designed to help you champion children’s issues with political candidates. Inside, you’ll find essential facts, statistics, key messages, email templates, and ready-to-share social media content.
With these tools, you can make a difference. Together, let’s ensure children’s voices are heard this election! We’ll keep you updated with insights and actions you can take to champion child rights this election.
