Our Bureau
New Delhi
In its 75th year of partnership with India, UNICEF India announced the appointment of one of the most iconic stars of Indian Cinema, Kareena Kapoor Khan as the organization’s National Ambassador. In her role, Kareena Kapoor Khan will support UNICEF India in furthering every child’s right to early childhood development, health, education and gender equality. UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfil their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
As UNICEF India’s Celebrity Advocate since 2014, Kareena Kapoor Khan has been a strong advocate for girls’ education, gender equality, foundational learning, immunization and breastfeeding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Khan advocated for children’s learning and return to school once they reopened. She has been an instrumental support in several UNICEF’s global campaigns on #EveryChildRights.
On her conferment as UNICEF India National Ambassador, Kareena Kapoor Khan said, “There are few things as important as the rights of children, the future generation of this world. I am honored to continue my association with UNICEF now as India’s National Ambassador. I will strive to use my voice and influence for vulnerable children and their rights, especially around early childhood, education and gender equality. For every child deserves a childhood, a fair chance, a future.”
UNICEF India also announced the appointment of its first ever Youth Advocates, who are peer leaders and champions on issues like climate action, mental health, innovations and Girls in STEM. Between 16 to 24 years the four advocates have specific areas of interest. Gauranshi Sharma from Madhya Pradesh on right to play and disability inclusion, Kartik Verma From Uttar Pradesh on climate action and child rights advocacy, Nahid Afrin from Assam on mental health and early childhood development and Vinisha Umashankar, from Tamil Nadu is a budding innovator and STEM pioneer. These youth advocates are part of UNICEF’s global program and join a cohort of more than 93 youth advocates have been appointed across the globe and are driving change on issues concerning children and young people.
