UNICEF India announced Ayushmann Khurrana as its celebrity advocate for children’s rights campaign — ‘For Every Child’.
Ayushmann will now support UNICEF in ending violence against children. With this appointment, he joins former football star David Beckham who is working on this campaign globally.
Ayushmann said he is pleased to partner with UNICEF as he believes that every child deserves the best start in life.
“As I watch my children play in the safety and happiness of our home, I think about all the children who never get to experience a safe childhood and grow up with violence at home or outside. With UNICEF, I look forward to supporting the rights of the most vulnerable children, so that they grow up as happier, healthier, educated citizens in nurturing environments free from violence,” he said.
UNICEF Representative in India said, “I am delighted to welcome Ayushmann Khurrana as a UNICEF celebrity advocate. He’s an actor who challenges the boundary of every role he plays. He will bring a sensitivity, passion and a powerful voice for every child, with a specific focus towards ending violence against children. Ayushmann’s support will help increase awareness about this important issue, especially now with Covid-19 heightening the risk of violence and abuse against children due to the extended lockdown and the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.”
Data: violence against children:
- One out of five adolescent girls have experienced physical violence since age 15 and one in three adolescent girls married or in union have experienced violence by their husband or partners. (Source: NFHS 4)
- Every hour 5 cases of child sexual abuse are reported. (Source: NCRB 2018).
- 50% of cases of sexual abuse are perpetrated by close family members or friends. (Source: NCRB, 2018)
- 99% of school children are subjected to physical and mental abuse by teachers (Source: NCPCR, 2012)
- One in three children in India reported that they experienced cyberbullying. (Source: U-Report, 2019)
Note the DATA is from UNICEF official site.
“He will bring sensitivity, passion and a powerful voice for every child, with a specific focus towards ending violence against children. Ayushmann’s support will help increase awareness about this important issue, especially now with COVID-19 heightening the risk of violence and abuse against children due to the extended lockdown and the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic,” Haque said in a statement.
“As I watch my children play in the safety and happiness of our home, I think about all children who never get to experience a safe childhood and grow up with violence at home or outside. With UNICEF, I look forward to supporting the rights of the most vulnerable children, so that they grow up as happier, healthier, educated citizens in nurturing environments free from violence,” he said.
