In a significant move to champion children’s rights, Unicef has appointed renowned Pakistani actress Saba Qamar as its first-ever National Ambassador for Child Rights. The announcement was made on the International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to advocating for the rights of girls and acknowledging the unique challenges they face across the globe.
Expressing her pride and commitment to the role, Qamar said, “It’s an honour to join Unicef. I will echo our shared mission of achieving every right for every child wherever I am. In my recent travels, I have seen both the challenges children and women face in this country and the difference Unicef’s dedicated efforts are making. I promise to play my part for the children and young people of Pakistan so that they can dream and have the chance to fulfil their dreams.”
As Unicef Pakistan’s National Ambassador, the acclaimed actress and star of Kamli and Hindi Medium will utilize her platform to raise awareness on various pressing issues affecting children and young people, including child marriage, mental health, lack of education, gender equality, climate change, and the severe impact of violence, exploitation, and child poverty.
Pakistan ranks as one of the top countries globally with a high prevalence of child marriage, with an estimated 19 million child brides. Furthermore, more than half of adolescent girls in the country are pregnant before turning 18, posing life-threatening risks for both mother and child. Unicef estimates that, without immediate action, Pakistan could take decades to eliminate child marriage entirely, highlighting the need for a holistic societal approach to combat this harmful practice and protect future generations of girls.
Unicef’s representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, expressed his enthusiasm about Qamar’s appointment, stating, “I am delighted to welcome Saba to Unicef. Ms. Qamar is a brave and powerful advocate for women’s and girls’ rights. We look forward to collaborating closely to draw attention to some of the biggest challenges facing children in Pakistan today and accelerating our efforts to help every child reach their true potential.”
On Thursday, Qamar took to social media to share images from her travels, where she engaged with young girls in an undisclosed location. In her caption, she wrote, “Met some super amazing people this week and had some wonderful experiences. Tons of stories to share! More soon!”
Through her appointment, Qamar aims to be a powerful voice in promoting the rights and well-being of children in Pakistan, ensuring that they have access to education, protection, and a bright future.
