Awaaz Do is an initiative taken by UNICEF to mobilize Indian society to speak up for the more than eight million children currently out of school in the country.

History

The landmark passing of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009 has made education a fundamental right of every child between the ages of 6 and 14 and specifies minimum norms in elementary schools. Still, an estimated eight million children (6 to 14 years) in India were out-of-school in 2009.

Launch

The campaign is being launched by UNICEF, with the support of the Government of India

Government of India

The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...

. “Awaaz Do” means “Speak Up” in Hindi

Hindi

Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...

 and is symbolized by a megaphone logo. The Awaaz Do on-line campaign was launched on October 19, 2010. At the launch, Urmila Sarkar, UNICEF’s Chief of Education said

"UNICEF is working with the Government of India to outline a roadmap for implementing RTE at the national and state level. However, the success of this act is also largely dependent on collective action. The Awaaz Do campaign is a platform for the combined voices of the government, the corporate world, the media and individuals to become an undeniable force to ensure every child is in school."

Vision

The initiative is all about the power of words that can help change the lives of 8 million children who are not in school yet. The online Awaaz Do campaign aims at use of technology and social networking that allows citizens to get actively involved and demand the rights for children who are excluded and marginalized.

Support

Besides Government of India

Government of India

The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...

, several corporates, celebrities, social activists, and general public have come forward to support the movement. UNICEF celebrity ambassador, Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra is an Indian actress and former Miss World. Before starting her acting career, she worked as a model and gained fame after winning the Miss World title in 2000. She is often referred to by the nickname "Piggy Chops", which was given to her by co-stars on the set of the film...

, and Kapil Sibal

Kapil Sibal

Kapil Sibal is an Indian politician and lawyer. He is currently the Minister of Communications and Information Technology. He also held the two ministries Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Earth Sciences in the First Manmohan Singh Cabinet...

, Minister of Human Resource Development

Ministry of Human Resource Development (India)

The Ministry of Human Resource Development is an Indian government ministry, responsible for the development of human resources...

, have signed up as an Awaaz Do champions to garner support.

Several corporate and media houses have partnered with UNICEF to endorse the cause. Tata Teleservices, Barista Lavazza

Barista

A barista is a person, usually a coffee-house employee, who prepares and serves espresso-based coffee drinks.- Application of the title :...

, Park Hotels, Tupperware

Tupperware

Tupperware is the name of a home products line that includes preparation, storage, containment, and serving products for the kitchen and home, which were first introduced to the public in 1946....

 are urging their customers to speak up. Disney network

Disney Channel

Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...

 and Chandamama are asking their viewers and readers - primarily children - to spread awareness on the campaign. Many leading corporates, such as CPA Global, are encouraging their employees to sign up. Radio City and Planet RadioCity.com are connecting with each one of their listeners across its 20 stations to take the online pledge and be part of the change. Photography and short-film contests are also being organized with prizes sponsored by Canon.

Till April, 2010, More than 258 thousand people have joined the campaign through online Awaaz Do website.