Children's Day: Ukraine celebrates this day together with Europe for the first time

Ukraine is celebrating Children's Day on 20 November for the first time, together with Europe and the international community, emphasising its commitment to protecting children's rights even in wartime. The new date symbolises unity with international standards and serves as a reminder that thousands of Ukrainian children continue to live under the threat of shelling, forced displacement and emotional trauma. The state is taking steps to strengthen protection mechanisms and draw attention to the real challenges of childhood during wartime. Find out why the change of date is so important and what this day means for Ukraine

Order Visit Ukraine branded merchandise and support Ukraine (worldwide delivery)

BUY

In 2025, Ukraine will take an important symbolic step — for the first time, it will celebrate Children's Day on 20 November, in sync with European countries and the international community. This date is linked to two key documents that have shaped the modern understanding of children's rights: the 1959 Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Ukraine is now officially joining the global calendar, reminding us that children's rights are the foundation on which the future of the nation is built.

Why the date has changed

For many years, Ukraine celebrated Children's Day on 1 June, as is customary in dozens of countries around the world. The holiday was established by presidential decree in 1998 and has become a symbol of the beginning of summer, school holidays and children's festivals.

But reality has changed. Ukraine is going through the most difficult trials since independence, and the issue of child protection has become not just a social issue, but a national priority.

That is why the state decided to move the celebration to 20 November — Universal Children's Day. This is not a formality, but a step that emphasises Ukraine's desire to be part of European human rights standards and to strengthen cooperation with international institutions.

What this day means today

Children's Day is not so much a holiday as a reminder of every child's right to safety, care, health and education. For Ukraine, this topic is particularly painful.

Full-scale war has deprived children of the most natural thing — a normal childhood. Shelling, evacuations, night alarms, destroyed houses, losses — all this accompanies a generation that was playing in the schoolyard just yesterday.

According to international organisations, thousands of Ukrainian children have been killed and injured since the start of the war. Thousands are not just dry statistics. Behind each number is a name, a family, a destiny.

Ukrainian children today are learning to live in conditions where safety is not a guaranteed right, but a struggle that the country wages every day.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

This day is extremely important for Ukraine

By celebrating Children's Day on 20 November, Ukraine is emphasising that children are not a ‘vulnerable group’ but the core of the future, which needs maximum protection right now.

The new date is an opportunity to once again draw the world's attention to the fact that children in Ukraine continue to suffer because of the war and that international protection mechanisms must work harder, faster and more effectively.

Helping children affected by war

On 19 November, the Ukrainian government adopted amendments to the law that expand and clarify the mechanisms for protecting children who have suffered as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine since 2014.

In particular, this concerns the definition of the statuses of ‘deported child’, ‘child forcibly displaced or detained in connection with the armed aggression of the Russian Federation’ and ‘child affected by military operations and armed conflicts’.

The mechanisms for compensation for damage to the life and health of children have also been updated, including the possibility of receiving urgent interim compensation.

Instead of a separate state register of affected children, there will be a unified information database on damage caused to the personal non-property rights of individuals as a result of military actions. It will become part of the Unified Information System for the Social Sphere, which will be the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Policy.

The changes will apply to all cases that have occurred since 19 February 2014, the start of the temporary occupation of part of Ukraine.

Compensation will be available to children who already have victim status and those who have suffered but have not had time to register this status before the decision comes into force.

Reminder! Ukraine has passed a law that will significantly increase state support for families with children. Starting 1 January 2026, parents will be able to count on increased payments for the birth of a child and new assistance programmes for children of all ages. Find out what amounts are provided and who is eligible for additional assistance.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.