The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has appointed renowned Pakistani actress Saba Qamar as its first National Ambassador for child rights in Pakistan.
The announcement coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child, a day focused on promoting girls’ rights and addressing the unique challenges they face worldwide.
Saba Qamar expressed her gratitude for the role, saying, “It’s an honor to join UNICEF. I will advocate for our shared mission of ensuring every child’s rights, wherever I am.” Reflecting on her recent travels, she noted the difficulties faced by children and women in Pakistan, as well as the positive impact of UNICEF’s efforts. “I am dedicated to doing my part for the children and youth of Pakistan, helping them to dream and achieve those dreams,” she added.
As UNICEF Pakistan’s National Ambassador, Qamar will use her platform to raise awareness about children’s rights and key issues affecting youth, including child marriage, mental health, education, gender equality, climate change, and the effects of violence, exploitation, and child poverty.
Child marriage remains a major barrier to girls’ rights in Pakistan, which has 19 million child brides, the sixth-highest number globally. Over half of adolescent girls are pregnant before turning 18, posing serious health risks to both mothers and their children. Without swift action, UNICEF warns that Pakistan will take decades to eradicate child marriage.
A collective societal effort is crucial to ending this harmful practice and safeguarding future generations of young girls, who are an essential but underutilized resource for the country.
UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Mr. Abdullah Fadil, welcomed Saba Qamar, calling her a bold and influential advocate for women’s and girls’ rights. He expressed excitement about working with her to tackle the significant challenges children face in Pakistan and to boost efforts to ensure every child can reach their full potential.
