Children and young people get a platform at UNICEF Bhopal office on World Children’s Day

Correspondent

NewsBits.in

BHOPAL: Around 50 children and young people participated in the World Children’s Day meet organized at UNICEF Office in Bhopal to mark the day on November 20.

Participants included Bharat Scouts & Guides (BSG) volunteers, children from Dhar, Jhabua and Bhopal. Observed annually on November 20th, World Children’s Day highlights children’s rights and their role in shaping their own future.

This year’s global theme, “My Day My Rights,” underscores the importance of listening to and amplifying children’s voices in decisions that affect their lives.

Interacting with children and young people, Anil Gulati, Chief of Field Office (a.i.), UNICEF Madhya Pradesh, emphasised the need for platforms that allow children to speak for themselves.

“Today is about you and your aspirations, your concerns, and your rights,” he said. “World Children’s Day reminds us that when children are given the space to express themselves, they can help guide us toward building a more inclusive and just world.”

The event featured a creative group activity facilitated by Monica Maurya, Social & Behaviour Change Officer, UNICEF in which participants were divided into five teams and encouraged to reflect on the changes they wish to see around them, the behaviours that should begin, and practices that should end. Through thoughtful discussions and imaginative presentations, the children shared a wide range of insights.

Lokendra Gurjar, a Bharat Scouts and Guides cadet, spoke about the importance of having groups like NCC and BSG in all schools to foster discipline and leadership, while also advocating for reduced homework to allow students more time for co-curricular learning.

Hariom, a 14-year-old from Bhopal, highlighted the need for technology-based education to help students keep pace with an increasingly digital world.

Pooja, another BSG cadet, stressed the importance of ending gender-based discrimination and ensuring equal treatment of boys and girls at home and in society. Pushpa Yadav reflected on how excessive mobile phone use affects children’s social lives, making them less willing to engage with their friends.

Pratigya, a young student, raised concerns about the persistent issue of child marriage and the urgent need to eliminate it.

The children were enthusiastic on having a safe and supportive space where their thoughts and feelings were acknowledged by adults. The discussions were followed by a soulful musical performance that filled the room with smiles as the children clapped, sang, and danced together.

Children from Dhar demonstrated a simple water cleaning system which can be used without electricity. Anadi Tiwari, facilitated various activities on child rights as to what needs to start and what needs to stop.

UNICEF’s Jhimly Baruah, Social Behaviour Change Specialist, Amit Dogra, Health Officer, Narendra Singh Chouhan, WASH Officer and Sujan Sarkar, Monitoring officer interacted with the children at the event.