On May 4, 2024, UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) India named Bollywood Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan as its National celebrity Ambassador. In this role, she will advocate for children’s rights to early development, health, education, and gender equality.
- Previously, as a Celebrity Advocate since 2014, Kareena supported girls’ education, immunization, and #EveryChildRights campaigns, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The appointment comes with the celebration of the 75th year of UNICEF’s partnership with India.
UNICEF India appointed its first-ever Youth Advocates
UNICEF India also announced its inaugural Youth Advocates, distinguished as peer leaders addressing key issues like climate action, mental health, innovation, and Girls in STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).
- In this regard, 4 Youth Advocates have been appointed, aged 16 to 24, who will contribute to UNICEF’s global program, and join over 93 peers across 38 countries to drive impactful change for children and young people.
The Youth advocates:
i.Gauranshi Sharma (aged 16 from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh/MP): She will focus on right to play and disability inclusion.
- Despite her speech and hearing disability, Gauranshi, supported by her specially-abled parents, achieved notable milestones. She became a badminton champion, winning gold (Singles) at the Deaflympics in Brazil in 2021 and team gold at the Summer Deaflympics in 2022 (Malaysia). Named UNICEF India’s first Youth Advocate on October 3, 2023, she received the honor from UNICEF Executive Director Ms. Catherine Russell.
- She is associated with UNICEF since 8 years.
ii.Kartik Verma (aged 18 from Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh/UP): He will advocate for climate action and child rights.
- Kartik founded Knowledge for Nature initiative, impacting 4,000+ children in 130+ schools.
- He serves as Child Advisor to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and UNEP’s (UN Environment Programme) Steering Committee for Children and Youth Major Group.
- He participated in key events like the 5th Forum of Ministers and Environment Authorities of Asia and the Pacific in Sri Lanka.
- He focuses on SDG (Sustainable Development Goal)-based education to empower youth and promote social and environmental peace.
- He established a Youth Advocacy Network in UP.
- He is also recognized as a Changemaker by the High Commission of Canada.
iii.Nahid Afrin (aged 22 from Guwahati, Assam): A singer, she will addresses mental health and early childhood development.
- In 2018, she was appointed as the child rights champion for the northeast region.
iv.Vinisha Umashankar (aged 17 from Chennai, Tamil Nadu): Excels as an innovator, she will advocate as a STEM pioneer, climate change, and innovation.
- Globally recognized champion for climate action and innovation, he received National Youth Award 2020-2021 and Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam IGNITE Award 2019.
- Earned RISE Global Winner 2023 title and The Diana Award 2023.
- Honored with Tamil Nadu Green Champion Award 2022.
Recent Related News:
i.The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and UNICEF (Global Joint Program on Eliminating FGM) organised a High-level event online to mark the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.
ii.India has nominated the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’, a network of 12 forts across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu (TN) for inclusion in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)World Heritage list for 2024-25 under the category of ‘Cultural Sites’.
About UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) India:
UNICEF Representative to India– Cynthia McCaffrey
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi
