UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham visits India for the first time

UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham travelled to India this week to meet children and adolescents including girls who are bringing about change and innovation in their communities and young women who have overcome barriers to help close gender gapsDuring his fourday visit including to the western Indian state of Gujarat Beckham saw firsthand how UNICEFsupported programmes are making a difference for girls and women in partnership with the Government of IndiaIn Banaskantha district in Gujarat Beckham met 21yearold Rinku Pravibhai who was engaged to be married at age 15 She was pressured to drop out of school but learned about the harmful consequences of child marriage at a UNICEFsupported lsquoyoung girlsrsquo group Her marriage was called off after confiding in a social worker and today Rinku is studying to be a nurse at a local college Beckham met with community workers government officials and activists who help children continue their schooling and empower them to say no to child marriage and child labourldquoAs a father of a young daughter I was deeply moved to meet Rinku and other young girls who are fighting for change at an early age and having a say in their futuresrdquo said UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham ldquoRinku is a role model for other girls who want to complete their education and fulfil their potential All these girls have benefited from mentors supported by UNICEF in partnership with the Government of IndiardquoBeckham met young innovators and entrepreneurs at the Vikram Sarabhai Children Innovation Centre in Gujarat University A first of its kind for children in India the Centre was set up to promote innovations by children and young people especially girls including 27yearold Shikha Shah who set up AltMat a material science company upcycling agricultural residue to create environment friendly natural fibers for textile and fashion The company has scaled up its patented technology to one of the highest production capacities solving the dual problem of agriwaste and fashion pollutionUNICEF works with the Government of India to invest in girlsrsquo education and opportunities that boost their confidence and skills and help them become the next generation of entrepreneurs and leadersIn Ahmedabad Beckham met with children from the Gujarat Youth Forum established two years ago by a local partner Elixir and UNICEF to inspire young people to become changemakers He spoke to 12yearold Pratha Vanar a young cricketer who started playing cricket when she was six and is now the sole girl among boys in the team He also met 14yearold author Aarya Chavda who donates her book and art proceeds to underprivileged cancer patientsldquoUNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckhamrsquos visit to India spotlights the message on the importance of equal opportunities and rights for every child His visit reinforces UNICEFrsquos mission to support equal opportunities to empower all especially girlsrdquo said UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey ldquoUNICEF is deeply committed to supporting the Government of India so every child can survive thrive and pursue their dreams The quest for gender equality runs at the core of all of UNICEFrsquos work in IndiardquoThe COVID19 pandemic exacerbated gender inequalities in South Asia An increase in domestic violence child marriage and loss of paid work and employment impacted girls and women who continue to bear the brunt of longerterm socioeconomic shocks experienced in the regionAs part of the visit David Beckham joined legendary cricketer and UNICEF Regional Ambassador for South Asia Sachin Tendulkar and children at the ICC Cricket Word Cup semifinal in Mumbai The sports stars united to celebrate UNICEFrsquos partnership with the International Cricket Council ICC that aims to empower girls and women through cricket They called on spectators to BeAChampion for girls and boys ndash no matter where they live ndash so they can equally participate in sport and lifersquos opportunitiesldquoI have always been a strong believer in the power of sport in levelling the playing field for children Sports promotes participation breaks down gender stereotypes and is a powerful way to help girls to realise their dreamsrsquorsquo added Beckham