Kareena Kapoor Appointed as UNICEF India National Ambassador

UNICEF India, the United Nations agency dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of children, has announced the appointment of Bollywood superstar Kareena Kapoor Khan as its National Ambassador. This prestigious role comes as a recognition of Kareena's long-standing association with the organization and her unwavering commitment to advancing children's rights.

Kareena's Journey with UNICEF India

Kareena Kapoor Khan's journey with UNICEF India began in 2014 when she became a Celebrity Advocate for the organization. Over the years, she has been a strong advocate for various causes, including girls' education, gender equality, foundational learning, immunization, and breastfeeding. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kareena played a pivotal role in advocating for children's learning and their safe return to school once they reopened.

Her participation in UNICEF's global campaigns, such as #EveryChildRights, has been instrumental in raising awareness and driving positive change for children worldwide.

A Voice for Vulnerable Children

In her new role as UNICEF India's National Ambassador, Kareena Kapoor Khan has pledged to use her influential voice and platform to champion the rights of vulnerable children, with a particular focus on early childhood development, education, and gender equality.

"For every child deserves a childhood, a fair chance, a future," Kareena shared during the conferment event, highlighting her commitment to ensuring that every child has access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.

Empowering Youth Advocates

Alongside Kareena's appointment, UNICEF India also introduced its first-ever Youth Advocates, a group of four remarkable individuals between the ages of 16 and 24. These young leaders and champions will bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the forefront, advocating for issues that directly impact children and youth, such as climate action, mental health, innovations, and Girls in STEM.

The Youth Advocates include:

1. Gauranshi Sharma from Madhya Pradesh, advocating for the right to play and disability inclusion.

2. Kartik Verma from Uttar Pradesh, championing climate action and child rights advocacy.

3. Nahid Afrin from Assam, raising awareness about mental health and early childhood development.

4. Vinisha Umashankar from Tamil Nadu, a budding innovator and STEM pioneer.

These advocates are part of UNICEF's global programme and join a cohort of more than 93 youth advocates appointed across the globe, driving change on issues concerning children and young people.

Amplifying Voices and Perspectives

The appointment of Youth Advocates by UNICEF India is a commendable step towards amplifying the voices and perspectives of children and young people, particularly those from marginalized and vulnerable communities.

"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," said Kartik Verma, one of the Youth Advocates.

Nahid Afrin, another Youth Advocate from Assam, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "It's a great opportunity for me to use my voice to amplify issues that many young people are dealing with, including mental health."

A Renewed Commitment to Children's Rights

UNICEF India's Representative, Cynthia McCaffrey, expressed delight in welcoming Kareena Kapoor Khan as the National Ambassador, building on her years of commitment to advancing children's rights. She also welcomed the four Youth Advocates to the UNICEF family, highlighting the organization's commitment to working with them to continue advocating for child rights.

"Over the seven and a half decades, as a proud and passionate partner, UNICEF supported Government of India-led programmes and milestones that benefited millions of children and young people. Marking the valued partnership of UNICEF with India@75 ushers an opportunity for renewal and recommitment to a vision for children in the coming years and decades," added McCaffrey.

Conclusion

The appointments of Kareena Kapoor Khan as UNICEF India's National Ambassador and the four Youth Advocates represent a significant step forward in the organization's mission to protect and promote the rights of children. Together, they will form a powerful coalition, leveraging their influence, passion, and expertise to create a lasting impact on the lives of children in India and around the world.

Through their collective efforts, UNICEF India aims to address pressing issues such as early childhood development, education, gender equality, climate action, mental health, and disability inclusion. By amplifying the voices of children and young people, these ambassadors will foster meaningful dialogue and drive positive change, ensuring that every child has access to the opportunities and resources they need to thrive.

As India celebrates its 75th year of partnership with UNICEF, this renewed commitment to children's rights ushers in a new era of hope and progress, where the dreams and aspirations of every child are prioritized and nurtured.