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Gauranshi Sharma

UNICEF India Youth Advocate Gauranshi Sharma for the right to play, inclusion and inclusive education

UNICEF
Gauranshi Sharma
UNICEF

(03 October 2023 – Ongoing)

Gauranshi Sharma, 18 (became a UNICEF India Youth Advocate at the age of 16), is a beacon of courage and determination. Living with speech and hearing disabilities, she has emerged as a champion badminton player, winning gold at the Deaflympics in Brazil (2021), team gold at the Summer Deaflympics in Brazil (2022), World Youth deaf Badminton Championship in Brazil (2023) and most recently, a silver medal in the Badminton Mixed Team event at the 10th Asia-Pacific Deaf Games (2024) in Kuala Lumpur. This November (2025), she will be representing India at the XXV Summer Deaflympics in Tokyo, Japan.

On 3 October 2023, Gauranshi was appointed as UNICEF India’s first-ever Youth Advocate in a special ceremony in New Delhi in the presence of UNICEF Executive Director Ms Catherine Russell. This recognition marked the beginning of her formal journey as an advocate for inclusion, the Right to Play, and inclusive education.  

A major highlight of her advocacy was her participation in the Summit of the Future at the United Nations Headquarters in New York (19–23 September 2024). Representing India’s youth, she took part in the Youth Mobilization Lab and Action Days, using the platform to amplify the voices of children with disabilities and spotlight the need for inclusive global policies. 

Back in Bhopal, Gauranshi has continued to lead impactful local engagements. On International Women’s Day (6 March 2025), she shared her personal journey to inspire girls with disabilities. On National Youth Day (12 January 2025), she supported the #EatRightThali campaign, promoting the importance of nutrition and healthy habits among adolescents.

Her consistent advocacy includes messages on key global observances, such as the Right to Play (26 June 2024), International Day of Sign Language (23 September 2024), International Day of the Girl (11 October 2024), and World Children’s Day (16 November 2024).

She also featured in the Webby Award-winning video “Dear Adults” (23 April 2025) and was recognized by U-Report Global (6 April 2025) for her powerful words on the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. Most recently, she joined the #reddotchallenge on World Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May 2025) to promote menstrual health and dignity.

On National Youth Day 2026, along with Shyam and Unnathi, Gauranshi reaffirmed that today's children and youth care, believe, and act for real change.

Through her resolve, lived experience, and sporting achievements, Gauranshi Sharma continues to inspire children and youth across India and beyond, showing that with the right support, every child can thrive and lead. 

UNICEF With a glint in her eyes and spring in her shoes, the ever-effervescent fifteen-year-old Gauranshi Sharma tells her story with a flurry of expressions and gestures. She tells you a story of happiness, courage and achievement in her sign language. Faster than spoken sentences or words can. She was born speech and hearing impaired, but Gauranshi never let her disability come in the way of her dreams of making it big in her life and winning laurels for her country. She is a champion badminton shuttler and made India proud when she won the gold medal at the Deaflympiad in Brazil in 2021. But this is just a start. Many more laurels await her.

Links to Social Media, Media, In-Person events 

Day and date Details Links 
15 November 2025 – World Children’s Day Gauranshi’s message #ForEveryChild on play and inclusion as part of UNICEF's 'Child in Me' Insta: (3) Instagram 
3 December 2025 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities 

Gauranshi’s message on International Day of Persons with Disabilities 
"When the world is inclusive, every child gets a fair shot - on the court, and in life. Every child deserves the space to rise with confidence"

 

Insta: Instagram 
12 January 2026 – National Youth Day 

UNICEF India Youth Advocates say: “We care. We believe. We act.”

 

This #NationalYouthDay, our Youth Advocates remind us that real change begins when youth step up, speak out, and take action — #foreverychild, everywhere. 

Insta: Instagram