UNICEF National Ambassador Kareena Kapoor Khan and Mithali Raj, former Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket team lead the Trophy Walkout at ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup second semi-final match to promote child rights

MUMBAI, 30 October 2025 – UNICEF India National Ambassador Kareena Kapoor Khan and Mithali Raj, former Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket team led the Trophy Walkout at the start of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 second semi-final match between India and Australia, held here today.  They were accompanied by two children Lubna Shah, Gaurav Sharma and Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative.

Kareena Kapoor Khan advocated for equal opportunities for every child as part of the UNICEF-ICC partnership and ‘Promise for Children’ campaign that encourages citizens to help protect and promote the rights of children in India by making a promise to them.

The ICC-UNICEF global partnership leverages reach of cricket worldwide to uphold all children’s rights to education, health, nutrition, safe water, and protection from violence, especially for girls most vulnerable.

Speaking on her engagement, Kareena Kapoor Khan said, “As a UNICEF India National Ambassador, I am honoured to be part of this partnership with the ICC to champion children’s rights connecting with millions of people leveraging their love for cricket. When such a powerful platform carries messages of equality and opportunity for children, it musters the power to inspire change. When children are healthy, educated, safe, they thrive and only then can they realize their dreams. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup demonstrates that potential,” she added.

Commending the global partnership between UNICEF and ICC, UNICEF India Representative Cynthia McCaffrey said, “Over almost a decade, ICC and UNICEF, have championed the rights and empowerment of every child, especially girls most in need. Building on this strong foundation, our Promise to Children campaign calls on all of us to take small and meaningful actions to give every child the chance to learn, play, and grow in safe and supportive environments.  ICC’s global platform reminds us of the power of play, teamwork and resilience and compels all of us - fans, followers everywhere - to come together to support every child’s opportunity to pursue their dreams.”

The ICC and UNICEF the Promise to Children digital campaign was launched in September 2025 for the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. The campaign, being amplified across match venues in India and Columbo, calls on cricket fans, players, and audiences to stand with UNICEF in supporting every child’s right to grow up safe, educated, and empowered.

Through her long association with UNICEF India, Kareena Kapoor Khan has been relentlessly advocating for the rights and well-being of children across the country. As UNICEF India’s National Ambassador, she has championed important causes i.e., girls’ education, foundational learning, gender equality, early childhood development and immunization.  Kareena continues to utilize her star power, her influence and voice to build awareness, challenge stereotypes, and inspire collective action so that every child can grow up safe, healthy, and empowered.

Download photos: https://weshare.unicef.org/Package/2AM408QQLQLQ

About UNICEF – ICC partnership

The International Cricket Council and UNICEF have joined hands to amplify the Promise to Children digital campaign during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 to be played in venues across India and Colombo. The campaign calls on cricket fans, audiences and players to join hands with UNICEF and create equal opportunities for all children, especially the most vulnerable.

The partnership during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup will also feature cricket clinics with children and participating teams, roundtable discussions with legends of the game Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, stakeholders, and campaign messages through digital channels, players, commentators and TV spots.

Cricket fans are encouraged to join ICC and UNICEF online platforms to learn more and make their Promise to Children. https://india.unicef.org/icc-wcwc