UNICEF India today announced Indian film actor and thought-leader, Ayushmann Khurrana, as its celebrity advocate for promoting rights #ForEveryChild. Ayushmann Khurrana will support UNICEF towards its work around ending violence against children. The actor will work for children in India and joins Football legend David Beckham, who works on this campaign globally.
Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, the UNICEF representative in India, said they are delighted to have Ayushmann Khurrana as a UNICEF celebrity advocate as they believe that his support will help in creating awareness about the issue. Haque added, “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.”
Ayushmann Khurrana said, “I am very pleased to partner with UNICEF as a celebrity advocate. I believe that everyone 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.”
Violence occurs every day and is a reality for a large number of girls and boys in India. Often the violence is caused or perpetrated by someone the child knows and trusts. Violence happens in those places intended to be protective: at home, at school, in their communities, in specialized institutions for children. It can also be online. As daily lives and families are disrupted by COVID-19, children may be at increased risk as illness, school closures, job loss and isolation measures put additional stress on families and may lead to negative coping mechanisms that may sadly include abusive behaviors against children.
David became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2005, having previously supported UNICEF’s work for children. In February 2015, UNICEF and David launched ‘7’: The fund for children in danger across the globe.
