The UNICEF office here on Saturday was full with energy of adolescents and young people as around 90 adolescents and young people were in their office, spoke about child rights in their own diverse styles.

Youth changeloomers of Harda used songs and dance form to talk about education, health and say no to discrimination, while adolescent group from Jhabua said no to child marriage and Poshan Vatika, how they are learning about nutrition and talking about it, in form of a skit and song. Adolescents of Bhopal Avinash, Ashish, Manaya and Soniya spoke about child protection issues, while members of school forum of Child Rights Observatory spoke about issue of child marriage, and saying no to violence and also did a skit on the child abuse which happens, with a call to attention to say no to it. It was an open house in UNICEF office.

Nirmala Buch, President of Child Rights Observatory, children have rights and it is duty of the State and us that children are able to realize their rights, and work is needed at both ends of empowering adolescents, advocating for change, understanding the law and strengthen the system to respond. She said it is important that the issues raised by adolescents are responded to and Child Rights Observatory will continue to advocate for their rights. She congratulated UNICEF for its work and for marking 70th year in India.

Michael Juma, Chief, UNICEF Madhya Pradesh, shared that UNICEF in Madhya Pradesh has consistently been providing technical support in evidence generation and system strengthening in its pursuit to advance child rights with particular focus on ending child marriage, child sexual abuse and any form of violence.

Anuradha Shankar, ADG Training, Police said that adolescents are understanding, thinking and talking about issues which impact them is important, and it is important we listened to voices of adolescents.

Anil Gulati Communication Specialist, UNICEF, Madhya Pradesh moderated the programme,  and said that it is best to listen to adolescents and young people, on their views in an open house as we celebrate UNICEF India at 70.