Kareena Kapoor Khan is UNICEF’s New Face for Children’s Rights in India
In a major move to amplify children’s voices and rights in India, UNICEF has roped in one of the most influential personalities from the entertainment world – Kareena Kapoor Khan. The acclaimed Bollywood actress has been appointed as the National Ambassador for UNICEF India on May 4, 2024, marking the organization’s 75th year of partnership with the country.
Kareena’s UNICEF Journey
Kareena’s association with UNICEF India is not new. The 43-year-old actress has been a Celebrity Advocate for the organization since 2014, passionately advocating for crucial issues like girls’ education, gender equality, foundational learning, immunization, and breastfeeding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she played a pivotal role in promoting children’s learning and their safe return to schools once they reopened.
In her new role as the National Ambassador, Kareena will further UNICEF India’s mission of ensuring every child’s right to early childhood development, health, education, and gender equality.
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The Youth Voice
In a first, UNICEF India has also appointed four Youth Advocates as peer leaders to champion various causes concerning children and young people. These advocates, aged between 16 and 24 years, will bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the table.
Gauranshi Sharma from Madhya Pradesh will focus on the right to play and disability inclusion, while Kartik Verma from Uttar Pradesh will advocate for climate action and child rights. Nahid Afrin from Assam will raise awareness about mental health and early childhood development, and Vinisha Umashankar from Tamil Nadu will promote innovations and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) for girls.
Amplifying Marginalized Voices
These Youth Advocates are part of UNICEF’s global program and join a cohort of more than 93 youth advocates appointed worldwide. Their primary goal is to amplify the concerns and perspectives of children and young people, especially those from marginalized and vulnerable communities.
Kartik Verma, one of the Youth Advocates, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Youth can lead the change in India. As the UNICEF India Youth Advocate, I will use my voice to amplify concerns and perspectives of children and young people, especially those from marginalized and vulnerable communities, to different stakeholders.”
Nahid Afrin, another Youth Advocate from Assam, shared her happiness at being appointed, stating, “It’s a great opportunity for me to use my voice to amplify issues that many young people are dealing with, including mental health.”
UNICEF’s Commitment
Speaking at the conferment event, UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey expressed delight in welcoming Kareena Kapoor Khan as the National Ambassador, acknowledging her years of commitment to advancing children’s rights. McCaffrey also highlighted UNICEF’s valued partnership with India over the past seven and a half decades, which has benefited millions of children and young people.
As UNICEF continues to build a promising future for all children, its engagement with popular ambassadors, celebrities, and youth advocates will play a crucial role in raising awareness and mobilizing support for children’s rights.
With Kareena Kapoor Khan’s star power and the passion of the Youth Advocates, UNICEF India aims to create a more inclusive and equitable society where every child’s rights are protected and their voices are heard.
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