UNICEF India Launches Public Advocacy Campaign

NEW DELHI, India, 25 May 2016 - In the context of the global advocacy efforts on Equity for Children, under the new Sustainable Development Goals, #FairStart makes the case for reducing persistent gaps in equity in India. 

The campaign launched with a film as part of a Social Media campaign that will focus on persisting inequities that large groups of children in India face, affecting their survival, growth and development. A series of impactful mini-films will give an insight into the lives of millions of children from various backgrounds, who are full of potential but less likely to grow up healthy and safe, less likely to attend school, less likely to learn, and more likely to be married as children. 

“Often the issues faced are immensely complex in nature and cut across all layers of society”, said Mrs. Den Dulk. “To make change happen a mind-shift is required. The #FairStart campaign aims at engaging the larger public in a debate and for everyone to see they have a role to play to make sure every child can have a fair chance in life”, Caroline Den Dulk, Chief, Advocacy & Communication, UNICEF India.   

Every Child deserves a #FairStart.  Currently, 6.1 million children in India are out- of -school; around 10 million children are engaged in work in India; close to 3500 children die every day before reaching age 5; 42 per cent of tribal children in India are stunted in their growth and development; and almost half the population of India, about 564 million people still practice open defecation. Girls in India deserve an equal chance in life too, but on an average 2.22 million girls marry early every year in India, and 23% girls between 15-19 years of age experience physical or sexual violence. 

The ‘Fair Start’ films were produced with the participation of a group of children who brought their own daily reality to the film set. “We have made this film with a lot of love and we hope you like it. Help us get a fair start, life. We deserve a #FairStart”, say the children.   

Here are details about some of the Crew of the main film of the campaign: 

Sahil: Camera man - Sahil is a 14 year old enthusiastic boy who is interested in sports and music. He is an avid cricket fan and wants to pursue cricket as his profession. He has a mother and a sister who love him. His father passed away 3 years back. He helps his uncle in laundry work. Sahil goes to an English medium school. 

Suraj: Art Director - Suraj is 10 years old. He has 3 sisters and 2 brothers. His mother works very hard selling corn. He helps his mother at her work. His father is an alcoholic and fights at home. Suraj wants to become a scientist when he grows up. 

Shawn: Camera Man / Director - Shawn is 15 years old. He has 6 siblings. Since his father has left home and mother keeps unwell he has taken up the responsibility to work and earn money for his home. So he goes everyday to clean gutters. He does not go to school but wants to. He is good at football. He is very helpful and caring by nature. 

Belinda: Costume - Belinda is 13 years old. She goes to a municipal school. She is Shawn's sister. She works at home after school hours. She is a very shy girl but aspires to become an office accountant when she grows up.