UNICEF India Names Smriti Mandhana Celebrity Advocate

UNICEF India appointed Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana as a celebrity advocate on 11 October 2026, the International Day of the Girl. In this role, she will advocate equal opportunities, health and well-being for adolescent girls across India, including their participation in sports.

Appointment and advocacy role

UNICEF India announced Mandhana’s appointment on 11 October 2026. Her stated areas of advocacy include creating opportunities for girls and supporting their health and well-being. She will also promote an environment in which girls can participate in sports and develop their 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. She said that every child should have the opportunity to dream big.

International Day of the Girl

The International Day of the Girl is observed annually on 11 October. The United Nations General Assembly established the observance in 2011, and it was first marked in 2012. It focuses on the rights, safety, potential and leadership of girls. The 2026 announcement coincided with the observance. UNICEF’s work for children includes areas such as health, education, protection and well-being.

Mandhana and Indian women’s cricket

Mandhana was named captain of the Indian women’s cricket team earlier in the week, following Harmanpreet Kaur’s departure from the captaincy. Sachin Tendulkar, a UNICEF Regional Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia, welcomed Mandhana to UNICEF India on social media on 11 October 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• The International Day of the Girl is observed on 11 October each year.
• The United Nations General Assembly established the International Day of the Girl in 2011.
• UNICEF was established in 1946 as the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund.
• The International Cricket Council is the international governing body for cricket.

UNICEF and children’s rights

UNICEF is a United Nations agency that works for children’s rights, survival, development and protection. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989, sets out civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights for children. Mandhana’s UNICEF India advocacy role covers adolescent girls’ opportunities, health, well-being and participation in sports. Her appointment was announced on the International Day of the Girl in 2026.