New Delhi: UNICEF India is celebrating ‘Child Rights Week’, from November 14 to 20, through a host of activities emphasising that all children, regardless of gender, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or any other status deserve to feel celebrated, and have the right to be included and protected especially the most marginalised and vulnerable.
Sport provides a powerful means to demonstrate the importance of inclusion and equality, which help children develop important life skills such as leadership, teamwork, inclusion, tolerance, and cooperation.
Highlighting the role of play and sports in achieving inclusion, children and lawmakers will discuss gender equality and inclusion through sports on Wednesday. Lawmakers will interact with children and learn about their experiences, concerns, and aspirations and how sports helped them overcome their challenges.
On Friday, Sachin Tendulkar, Regional Ambassador for UNICEF South Asia, and Bollywood star Ayushmann Khurrana, UNICEF Celebrity Advocate, UNICEF India will be present at a symbolic futsal match, children from eight states will play to highlight sports for inclusion.
“The World Children’s Day is UNICEF’s Global Day of Action for children, by children. Sports promotes participation, breaks gender stereotypes and social barriers, and is a powerful tool to achieve gender equity. Sports can play a catalytic role in changing social norms, providing a pathway for girls to realize their dreams and aspirations. This year, children will leverage the power of sports to highlight inclusion and non- discrimination for every child. We must ensure that every child is celebrated and safe from any kind of discrimination,” shared Cynthia McCaffery, UNICEF Representative to India.(UNI)