Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appointment Catherine Russell as the head of UN children’s agency UNICEF.

Key Points

• Catherine Russell is an assistant to US President Joe Biden.
• She also heads the White House Office of Presidential Personnel.
• From 2013-2017, she has also served as the State Department’s ambassador-at-large, for global women’s issues.
• Russell will succeed Henrietta Fore, who resigned in July 2021 because of a family health issue.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is also known as “United Nations Children’s Fund”. It is a United Nations agency, which is responsible to provide humanitarian and developmental aid to children across the world. It is among the most widespread and recognizable social welfare organizations of the world. It is present in 192 countries and territories.

The United Nations General Assembly observes Human Rights Day on December 10, every year.

Key Points

• The day is observed to raise awareness regarding people’s social, cultural and physical rights as well as to ensure the welfare people across the world.
• The day encourages nations to create equal opportunities for everyone.
• It also addresses the issues of exclusion, inequality, and discrimination.

Significance of the day

The Human Rights Day signifies the absolute rights to which all humans are entitled, irrespective of their race, religion, colour, language, sex, political or other opinions, poverty, national or social origin, birth or another status. Equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights. Human Rights Day has become more significant in the aftermath of covid-19, as it has deepened poverty and raised inequality, discrimination & other gaps in human rights protection.

Theme of the day

The Human Rights Day in year 2021 was observed under the theme- “Equality, reducing inequalities, advancing human rights.”