UNICEF has appointed Saba Qamar as its first National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan, with the announcement made on International Day of the Girl Child—a day dedicated to promoting girls’ rights and recognizing their unique challenges globally.
“It’s an honor to join UNICEF. I will amplify our shared mission of ensuring every right for every child, wherever I am,” Qamar stated in a press release. “In my recent travels, I have witnessed the difficulties faced by children and women in this country and the positive impact of UNICEF’s dedicated efforts. I promise to contribute to the welfare of the children and youth of Pakistan, helping them to dream and have opportunities to achieve those dreams,” she added.
As UNICEF Pakistan’s National Ambassador, the star of “Kamli” and “Hindi Medium” will leverage her platform to raise awareness about children’s rights and issues impacting young people, including child marriage, mental health, education access, gender equality, climate change, and the effects of violence, exploitation, and child poverty.
Pakistan has 19 million child brides, ranking sixth highest in the world. More than half of adolescent girls become pregnant before turning 18, posing significant risks to both mother and child.
UNICEF warns that without immediate action, Pakistan will take decades to eliminate child marriage. A comprehensive societal approach is essential to prevent this harmful practice and safeguard both current and future generations of young girls, who represent one of the country’s most valuable untapped resources.
“I am thrilled to welcome Saba to UNICEF. Ms. Qamar is a courageous and influential advocate for women’s and girls’ rights,” said UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil.
“We look forward to working closely with her to highlight some of the major challenges facing children in Pakistan today and to accelerate our efforts to help every child reach their full potential,” he added.
On Thursday, Qamar shared photos from her travels, where she engaged with girls in an undisclosed location, captioning, “Met some amazing people this week and had wonderful experiences. Tons of stories to share! More soon!”
