UNICEF India announced on October 11 the appointment of international cricketer Smriti Mandhana as its Celebrity Advocate. The announcement coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child, highlighting girls’ rights, protection, potential, leadership, and ongoing barriers worldwide.
Mandhana, a prominent sporting figure and role model for young women and girls across India, will promote equal opportunities for girls to participate and succeed in sports. She will also support UNICEF India’s initiatives to advance adolescent girls’ empowerment, health, and well-being to help them achieve their full potential.
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Speaking on her appointment, Mandhana said, “I am honoured to join UNICEF India as its Celebrity Advocate. Playing cricket as a child taught me that every dream begins with an opportunity. With hard work, determination and encouragement, that opportunity can become something extraordinary. Every child and young person deserves the chance to dream big and reach their full potential.”
Mandhana is the Captain of the Indian women’s
Mandhana is the Captain of the Indian women’s cricket team and an Arjuna Award recipient. She was part of the squad that won India’s first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup title in 2025. That year, she set a record by becoming the first woman to score over 1,000 One Day International runs in a calendar year, including five ODI centuries. In 2026, she became the leading run-scorer in women’s international cricket and in women’s T20 internationals. Mandhana is currently the world’s top-ranked women’s ODI batter and has been named ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year twice.
Cynthia McCaffrey, Representative of UNICEF India, said, “We are delighted to welcome Smriti Mandhana as UNICEF India’s Celebrity Advocate on the International Day of the Girl Child. Smriti’s journey from aspiring young athlete to global cricket icon shows girls what is possible when talent is met with opportunity. At a time when India is home to the world’s largest generation of children and young people, investing in girls’ rights, leadership and well-being is one of the smartest investments a country can make. We look forward to partnering with Smriti to support every girl to have the chance to learn, play, lead and fulfil her potential.”
Mandhana has previously supported UNICEF and International Cricket Council campaigns on gender equality and life skills, as well as UNICEF’s Promise to Children campaign.
India has 253 million adolescents, representing one-fifth
India has 253 million adolescents, representing one-fifth of its population and 21 per cent of the global adolescent population. Despite expanded access to education, health, and protection services, disadvantaged children in urban and rural areas continue to face poverty and limited access to quality services. Adolescent girls in particular face various vulnerabilities that restrict their decisions about work, education, marriage, and social relationships.
UNICEF collaborates with governments, communities, civil society, and young people to advance adolescent girls’ rights, agency, and opportunities by providing knowledge, life skills, leadership opportunities and safe spaces enabling informed choices about education, health, well-being and their futures. Together with partners, UNICEF also engages families and communities to challenge harmful gender norms, strengthen support systems, keep girls in education, expand social protection, and link them to skills and livelihood pathways. This work aims to build girls’ confidence and choices to learn, lead, thrive and delay marriage.
Source: thenewsmill.com
