GUWAHATI, Nov 22 - To inspire and gather the support of India�s 253 million adolescents towards the cause of children and young people, UNICEF Assam today appointed young singer Nahid Afrin as the first ever �Youth Advocate� at a public ceremony here.
UNICEF�s association with Nahid is part of initiatives to advocate child rights in the North East.
Hailing from Biswanath Chariali, Nahid made her playback debut in the 2016 Bollywood film Akira starring Sonakshi Sinha. She won the best female singer award for 2017 for the song Dhuniya Joon. She also won an award in 2018 at the Assam State Film Awards.
As a youth advocate, Nahid would act as a role model to inspire children and young people to act in making the world a better place and ensuring that their rights are respected. Youth advocates support initiatives of positive change that include access to quality education, basic healthcare, ending violence against children, and addressing the issues of equity and inclusion.
�I feel honoured to be the youth advocate for UNICEF Assam. I am hopeful that I will be able to encourage and motivate more and more children to achieve their dreams. Singing has been my passion and I aspire to be a successful singer in the future. I am grateful to my music fans for their support. I am what I am today for all the love that they have given me. I would humbly appeal to all my fans to connect and spread the message � let�s fight and show our support for the rights of children, let�s stand together against all forms of violence and exploitation on children,� Nahid said in a statement.
Addressing the media, Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, representative for UNICEF India, said Nahid has the potential to inspire millions of young people to realise their dreams and aspirations.
�UNICEF believes that the voice of this young population makes more impact as they have a unique power to galvanise their peers around issues they are passionate about. UNICEF engages youth advocates with the core idea of harnessing their voices as agents of change. When they speak, the world will listen attentively,� Haque said.
Tushar Rane, chief field officer of UNICEF for Assam and North East, said, �Nahid Afrin as the youth advocate will be working towards raising awareness about the rights of children. Young people are effective champions for the issues that most impact them.�
