Child marriage must end, it's time to empower Pakistan's girls, says UNICEF ambassador Saba Qamar

Renowned Pakistani actress Saba Qamar was appointed as the country's first National Ambassador for Children's Rights by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

The ceremony, held in Karachi on the International Day of the Girl Child, marked a significant milestone in the fight for children's rights.

"I have joined UNICEF's mission for the rights of children in Pakistan, especially for the empowerment of girls," Saba Qamar said in an interview with Independent Urdu.

"It is an honor for me to be the ambassador. I pledge to play my part for the betterment of the children and youth of Pakistan so that they have the opportunity to dream and act to fulfill their dreams," she added.

Pakistan faces alarming statistics, with 1.9 million young girls married, ranking sixth globally.

More than half of teenage girls become pregnant before their 18th birthday, posing life-threatening risks for both mother and child.

Saba said she will work against child marriage, citing its detrimental impact on girls' rights.

During her visits to various Sindh districts, including Sajawal, with UNICEF, Saba witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by children.

"One thing is clear: UNICEF has done remarkable work, providing medicine and education facilities. However, clean water for children remains a significant problem there."

According to Saba, she will leverage her international platform to raise awareness about critical issues, including child marriage, mental health, lack of education, gender equality, climate change, violence, exploitation, and poverty.

"She is a strong defender of women's and girls' rights. We look forward to working with her to address Pakistan's biggest challenges and help every child realise their true potential," Abdullah Fazil UNICEF's head in Pakistan said welcoming the Kamli star.