Exemplary creative contents aired in Akashvani, private FM stations and community radio to create awareness on child protection, routine immunization and climate change were awarded by UNICEF recently.
Called ‘Radio4Child Awards’, twenty-two radio professionals were handed over the awards for creating contents on the three themes that impact child’s rights by Bollywood actor and UNICEF’s National Ambassador, Ayushmann Khurrana in a programme held on Tuesday.
Khurrana, who started career as an RJ, said, “The talents of radio professionals reach millions with messages to help children realize their aspirations. As storytellers, educators and changemakers, they make radio more than entertainment and a powerful medium for good.”
As an advocate of child rights, the celebrity actor strongly believes that all children should be given opportunities to survive, thrive and develop in a safe environment to do their best in their lives.
The awards received 165 entries from 59 radio professionals across 20 states. Radio4Child is a partnership of UNICEF to bring radio professionals from all over India to enhance their understanding on child rights.
Appreciating the interesting works that the radio professionals did to promote child rights, Zafrin Chowdhury, Chief of Communications, Advocacy, and Partnerships, UNICEF India said, “Radio continues to grow as a popular, affordable and trusted source of information and entertainment with social commitment in the country for a century.”
The Radio4Child partnership spreads awareness on critical issues for children such as immunization, health and safety from early years. “Let us harness the power of radio to drive change for their better and brighter future,” she said, highlighting that UNICEF is marking its 75th anniversary in India.
In the run-up to the awards ceremony held in Mumbai, 60 radio professionals participated in a day-long capacity development workshop on Inclusive Early Childhood Development, Climate Change and Child Protection to bring in innovation in radio programming for children’s issues.