Crowds, culture, and children: Safeguarding young lives in Mongolia’s public assemblies

This brief note explores how children’s safety and participation are shaped in Mongolia’s public assemblies, including political protests, cultural festivals, and state ceremonies. Child protection policy and practice is developing in Mongolia, but there are significant protection gaps, particularly the absence of safeguards for children in cultural and ceremonial events. A child-centered governance and rights-based perspective suggests that cultural traditions, legislation, and institutional practices must be integrated to protect children from abuse in public assemblies. Social workers, as lead professionals in child protection, must act as lead coordinators for safeguarding children at public events.