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ISLAMABAD: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has named prominent Pakistani actress Saba Qamar as its first National Ambassador for Children’s Rights in Pakistan, here on Friday.
As per the details, the announcement came on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl Child, a day dedicated to highlighting the rights of girls and the various challenges they face globally.
Saba Qamar expressed her gratitude and said, “It is an honour to join UNICEF. Wherever I am, I will promote our shared mission of ensuring the rights of every child.” She shared her insights from recent travels, noting the significant impact of UNICEF initiatives as well as the challenges faced by children and women in the country. “I am determined to do my part for the children and youth of Pakistan, enabling them to dream and achieve those dreams,” she added.
As UNICEF Pakistan’s National Ambassador, Saba Qamar will leverage her international platform to raise awareness about children’s rights and various issues affecting young people, including child marriage, mental health, educational access, gender equality, climate change, and the consequences of violence, exploitation, and child poverty.
Child marriage is one of the most significant barriers preventing girls from realizing their rights in Pakistan, with 19 million child brides in the country, the sixth highest in the world.
More than half of teenage girls become pregnant before they reach the age of 18, posing life-threatening risks to both mother and child. Without immediate intervention, UNICEF projects that it will take decades for Pakistan to end child marriage.
A comprehensive societal approach is essential to halt this harmful practice and protect both current and future generations of adolescent girls, who represent a vital but underutilized resource for the nation.
Mr. Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, welcomed Saba Qamar and described her as a courageous and influential advocate for the rights of women and girls.
He expressed his enthusiasm to work with children in Pakistan today to address the critical challenges and increase efforts to ensure that every child can achieve his or her full potential.
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