UNICEF's new Goodwill Ambassador Lilly Singh will use her voice to reach every child
In her new role as UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador, Lilly Singh will use her digital presence to engage children and young people, and empower them to speak out about the challenges they face.
Indo-Canadian YouTube star Lilly Singh has a huge fan base – over 11 million YouTube subscribers – and she will now leverage her digital presence to engage children and young people. Popularly known as Superwoman, the actress, comedian and author was on Saturday appointed UNICEF’s latest Global Goodwill Ambassador at an event in New Delhi.
Lilly Singh joins the Goodwill Ambassadors list with Priyanka Chopra, David Beckham, Shakira and Jackie Chan among others.
As a global representative of UNICEF, Lilly hopes to reach children, engage young minds and empower them to speak about the challenges they face.
“I’m honoured to join UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador and to use my voice to support the [organisation’s] mission of reaching every child. It’s time to stand for what your kids want and not society,” Lilly said.
Her journey with UNICEF
The Superwoman was in India to support UNICEF’s Youth4Change initiative, a leadership programme for young people that brings them together to support peers and communities in taking action on issues that impact them and also understand the importance of a quality education.
Lilly travelled with UNICEF to Madhya Pradesh where she met adolescents and young people growing up in challenging circumstances, including extreme poverty, but who have been able to bring positive changes to their lives.
“It was beyond impressive to see the ‘Change Loomers,' as they called themselves, create so many diverse and impactful initiatives to help improve their community,” Lilly said. “It was also incredibly inspiring to see free karate lessons for girls [to] not only build their self-confidence, but teach them self-defence tactics to help them face the real-life threat of violence and harassment,” she added.
The 28-year old star was joined at the special event by Dr Yasmin Ali Haque, UNICEF Representative in India, who officially announced Lilly’s entry into the UNICEF family.
Lilly’s ‘Girl Love’
In her endeavour to support women around the globe and end girl-on-girl hate, the 28-year old YouTube sensation has also started an initiative on social media – #GirlLove.
As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Lilly will use her platforms to showcase UNICEF’s work and to engage her millions of supporters in advocating children’s rights. Her new role with UNICEF is complemented by her Girl Love initiative.
“Lilly is a role model to so many young people, especially girls, and we look forward to the role she will play in generating greater discussion – and greater action – around the value of girls in India and everywhere,” Haque said.
Lilly released her international and New York Times bestselling book How To Be A Bawse this year, and was recently cast in HBO’s film adaptation of Fahrenheit 451. She was ranked 1st on the Forbes Magazine Top Influencers List in the entertainment category.
More than 50 per cent of India’s population is below the age of 25 years and India is already the second largest market for YouTube, Facebook, and many other video platforms.
