To mark 30th anniversary of United Nations Convention of Rights of Children, UNICEF and National Service Scheme (NSS) of Chhattisgarh entered into a partnership to work together to improve lives of women and children in the state.

Over one lakh volunteers of NSS will support UNICEF and government of Chhattisgarh to ensure every child has access to proper education, healthy, safe and protected environment.

“This is a unique and invaluable opportunity for UNICEF to speak and advocate for child rights through 1 lakh student volunteers of NSS Chhattisgarh. The volunteers will speak on child rights in every village and hamlet in the state in the coming years” said Job Zachariah, chief, field office, UNICEF office for Chhattisgarh.

UNICEF in collaboration with NSS in Chhattisgarh will focus on raising awareness on child rights and take child-specific schemes and programmes to people across the state.

The students enrolled as NSS volunteers will orient children, parents and caregivers on child rights and support local authorities to ensure every child has access to his/her rights.

The partnership aims at building a supportive environment for children in all spheres. The NSS will reach out to all service providers, parents and care-givers through their social service camps.

In over 1000 NSS camps, the students will share information on key issues like anemia, malnutrition, immunization, right to education and violence against children. The student volunteers will also support the local authorities and service providers in providing children access to basic and essential services.

The students will also actively advocate for child rights in their respective villages, towns and cities. UNICEF and NSS will also come together on social media platforms to share, express and advocate for the wellbeing of children.

Speaking on the occasion of 30th anniversary of UNCRC, Dr Samarender Singh, Head of NSS, Chhattisgarh said “the partnership with UNICEF has opened a menu of social welfare activities with a focus on children”. The volunteers are committed to upholding child rights, added Dr Singh.