Ayushmann Khurrana: Engage with boys to promote positive gender practices

Ayushmann Khurrana

Since his appointment as UNICEF's Celebrity Advocate for their campaign EVAC (Ending Violence Against Children) last year, Ayushmann Khurrana has brought the issues of child labour and discrimination against the girl child to the fore. The actor highlights that the pandemic has had a detrimental effect on girls' education. "With limited access to mobiles or the Internet, girls have faced restrictions in accessing remote learning. The lockdowns have increased the incidence of gender-based violence." Khurrana cites the National Crime Records Bureau [NCRB] data, which shows that child marriages have increased by 50 per cent in 2020.

On International Day of the Girl Child today, the actor laments that the rampant discrimination against girls has held us back from becoming a caring society. While emphasising the need to prioritise their education, he adds, "Can we be aware of the small ways in which girls are discriminated against at home? Eating after their brothers, not being allowed to play outside are a few instances. Ending these practices will change how we value and respect girls. Also, we must engage with boys and men to promote positive gender practices."

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