Belgian Royalty and Cricketer Virender Sehwag team up for Child Rights

Mumbai-Belgium's Queen Mathilde and King Philippe were seen playing cricket at Oval Maidan in Mumbai advocating for children’s right to play and learn during. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Their Majesties the King and the Queen of the Belgium advocated for children’s right to play and learn during a cricket match with cricketer Virender Sehwag and boys and girls from two Mumbai schools at Mumbai Maidan Oval, India. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Speaking at the event, Queen Mathilde said, “No matter the country we live in, we have to ensure that children grow up in a safe family environment. We need to protect girls and boys from all kind of violence and harmful practices and prevent child maltreatment. As a UN Special Advocate, I attach importance to the Right to Education for all children." (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Girls are particularly vulnerable in India. Nearly one fourth of 20-24 year-old-women were married before they turned 18. Close to 12 per cent of girls are not attending upper primary school. Around 4.5 percent of women age 15-19 experienced sexual violence. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Their Majesties are in India on a State Visit from 5 to 11 November 2017. During her stay, Queen Mathilde, in her capacity as Honorary Chairperson of UNICEF Belgium, had the opportunity to witness a full range of programmes where UNICEF supports the Indian Government to achieve results for children, notably in the areas of water and hygiene, child protection, child participation and girls’ empowerment. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

The visit comes ahead of the first World Children’s Day set for November 20 to mark the anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. A day for children and by children, it aims to give a voice to the voiceless and allow children from around the world to take over key roles in media, politics, business, sport and entertainment to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and fulfil their potential. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

“Child marriage negatively influences children’s rights to education, health and protection. These consequences especially impact the girl directly, but also her family and community. Girls and boys married as children more likely lack the skills, knowledge and job prospects needed to lift their families out of poverty. They are unable to contribute to their country’s social and economic growth,” said Her Majesty. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

During her stay in Maharashtra, Her Majesty the Queen inaugurated a song about hand-washing. Coordinated by the University of Hasselt in collaboration with Belgian students and volunteers, the song was donated to UNICEF to serve as another creative tool to generate awareness around the already successful Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission) in the country. Queen Mathilde underlined the importance of good hygiene practices to increase school attendance and reduce the incidence of disease. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

Queen Mathilde was also heard talking about Sustainability. “Sustainable development can only be realized if children are healthy and are living in a safe environment. Quality education at school and at community level should pay attention to hygiene and handwashing. Good hygiene practices significantly reduce the incidence of several diseases. Something as simple as handwashing saves lives, “she said. (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)

“It is high time we empower our women and girls, and sports is a wonderful way of doing so,” said cricketer Virender Sehwag following the cricket match attended by Their Majesties. “While speaking with the children we learnt that UNICEF’s work with sport is grounded in its mission to ensure that every boy and girl irrespective of their ability and background have the right to play and participate in sports in a safe and healthy environment.” (Photo: Rajesh Jadhav)