The National Society for the Protection of Children was one of the key children’s welfare organizations under the patronage of Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi in Iran.

Origins & Establishment

  • The organization was founded in 1952 (1331) with assistance from UNICEF, and Farah Pahlavi served as its honorary president
  • It was created to address the needs of vulnerable and orphaned children, focusing on education, nutrition, and care, especially for those with disabilities or developmental delays

Mission & Key Activities

  • The organization had three main branches of work:
    1. Training technical staff and caregivers for child-serving institutions,
    2. Nutrition programs, including distributing clean milk and food supplies,
    3. Special care and education for children with disabilities
  • It established orphanages, daycare centers, and health clinics, often in undeserved rural and urban areas, and ran educational and vocational workshops for children’s development.

Institutional Role & Integration

  • The society operated under the umbrella of the Farah Pahlavi Foundation and Her Majesty’s royal office, which housed four departments, including social welfare and health.
  • This structure allowed the society to benefit from royal patronage, state-level influence, and direct budget allocations, which expanded its reach across Iran.

Expansion & Impact

  • With Her Majesty Farah Pahlavi’s leadership, a nationwide network of care and support centers was created, serving thousands of children and pioneering training institutions for caregivers and educators.
  • The society’s efforts complemented broader national child welfare initiatives aligned with Iran’s White Revolution, such as the Sepah-e Dānesh literacy corps, health services, school feeding programs, and rural outreach.
  • Through its work, the society reached many children with disabilities or without family support and regularly provided essential services free of charge.
Founded 1952 (1331), with UNICEF’s help
Patron Shahbanou Farah Pahlavi, honorary president
Core Mission Areas Training staff, nutrition support, special care and education for vulnerable children
Facilities Orphanages, clinics, daycare centers, training institutes across the country
Integration Part of the broader Farah‑Pahlavi charitable network; state-supported via royal office
Wider Impact Played a leading role in national child welfare policy during the 1960s and 1970s

Legacy

This National Society for the Protection of Children was a pioneering effort in Iran, formalizing child welfare as a structured, technical and state-supported mission rather than ad-hoc charity. As part of Farah Pahlavi’s broader championing of children’s health, education, and cultural empowerment, it laid the groundwork for modern social services for vulnerable youth in Iran.