Smriti Mandhana Appointed UNICEF India Celebrity Advocate

Indian women’s cricket captain Smriti Mandhana has been appointed a UNICEF India Celebrity Advocate, the organisation announced on Sunday to mark the International Day of the Girl Child. In her new role, Mandhana will support initiatives focused on empowering adolescent girls, promoting their health and well-being, helping them access opportunities and raising awareness about equal rights. Through her influence as a prominent sportsperson, she is expected to encourage young girls to pursue their ambitions and build a better future.

Expressing her happiness over the appointment, Mandhana said she considered it a great honour to join UNICEF India. Drawing from her own journey as a cricketer, she highlighted how dreams begin with opportunities and how hard work, dedication and encouragement can help people progress. She added that every child deserves access to such opportunities. Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who serves as UNICEF’s Regional Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, welcomed Mandhana to the organisation and expressed hope that she would use her voice to champion children’s rights beyond the cricket field.