Karachi: UNICEF has officially appointed renowned actor Ms. Saba Qamar as its first National Ambassador for child rights in Pakistan. This significant announcement coincides with the International Day of the Girl Child, emphasizing the focus on girls’ rights and the specific challenges they encounter globally.

According to United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, Ms. Qamar will leverage her position to advocate for child rights and bring attention to critical issues affecting children, especially girls. These include child marriage, educational deficits, mental health, gender equality, climate change impacts, and the prevalence of violence and exploitation. As an acclaimed actor known for her roles in films like “Kamli” and “Hindi Medium,” she will use her international visibility to highlight and address these challenges.

Ms. Qamar expressed her commitment to the role, noting the vital influence of UNICEF’s work in Pakistan. She emphasized her recent observations of the adversities faced by children and women in the country and pledged to support UNICEF’s mission to secure the rights and well-being of young people across Pakistan. Her advocacy aims to empower children to pursue and achieve their dreams, despite the barriers they face.

Child marriage remains a formidable barrier in Pakistan, where 19 million child brides represent the sixth-largest population of its kind worldwide. Urgent action is called for to eliminate this practice, which endangers young girls and hinders their development into potential societal contributors.

UNICEF’s representative in Pakistan, Mr. Abdullah Fadil, welcomed Ms. Qamar’s addition to the team and highlighted her role as a potent advocate for women’s and girls’ rights. The organization anticipates that her involvement will significantly boost efforts to address and overcome the major challenges confronting children in Pakistan today.