Nahid Afrin

Nahid Afrin, 24 (became a UNICEF India Youth Advocate at the age of 22), from Guwahati, Assam, rose to prominence as the runner-up of Indian Idol Junior Season 2 in 2015. Since then, she has used her talent and voice to champion the rights and well-being of children and adolescents.

Previously appointed as a Child Rights Champion for the North-East in 2018, she was recognized as a UNICEF India Youth Advocate on 3 May 2024, during a national event that also marked the appointment of Kareena Kapoor Khan as UNICEF’s National Celebrity Ambassador.

As a digital influencer with a wide youth following, Nahid has consistently raised her voice on key issues like mental health, menstrual hygiene, and the elimination of child marriage. She has visited several schools and communities, engaging directly with children and adolescents in meaningful dialogues.

Other notable engagements include leading the #RedDotChallenge on Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May), appearing on a parenting podcast with Kareena Kapoor Khan (8 June), and giving radio interviews (18 July) to amplify youth concerns.

On World Mental Health Day (10 October), she addressed students at IIT Bombay, sharing insights into managing emotional well-being and the importance of peer support. During World Children’s Day 2024, she participated in field-level advocacy at both the Mumbai Field Office (15 November) and the Assam Field Office in Guwahati (22 November), using sports and music to promote climate awareness.

In 2025, she led a cascade training on mental health advocacy (22–23 March) with young people in Mumbai, represented youth voices at the Regional World Health Summit in New Delhi (25–27 April), and joined youth consultations with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (2 June) alongside Dr Zoya Malik.

Her message on NCD and Mental Health Awareness, along with other young people’s messages, was showcased by UNICEF to World Leaders at UNGA in September 2025, followed by her impactful World Children’s Day advocacy through UNICEF’s ‘Child in Me’ campaign, which called for greater attention to children’s mental well-being.

Nahid continues to inspire through every platform she steps onto—be it on stage, in classrooms, or through community engagement—advocating for a world where every young person’s voice is heard and valued.