On this World Children’s Day, Pakistani actress Saba Qamar took to social media to shine a spotlight on children’s rights in the country. Wearing a blue UNICEF shirt, the newly appointed National Ambassador for Child Rights in Pakistan delivered a heartfelt message urging collective action to ensure every child’s fundamental rights are upheld.
“Every child has a right to learn, to grow up healthy, to live in a safe environment, and to have a voice in the decisions that shape their future,” Qamar emphasized in a video shared on her Instagram page.
Her message comes against a concerning backdrop: Pakistan is home to 19 million child brides, ranking sixth globally, and over half of adolescent girls become pregnant before turning 18, putting both mother and child at serious risk.
In the video, Qamar encouraged the public to “turn Pakistan blue,” a symbolic gesture associated with World Children’s Day, highlighting the importance of giving children a voice in decisions that affect their lives.
Appointed as UNICEF Pakistan’s first National Ambassador for Child Rights in 2024, Qamar expressed her commitment to advocating for children across the nation. “It’s an honour to join UNICEF. I will echo our shared mission of achieving every right for every child wherever I am,” she said in a press statement. “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.”
In her role as ambassador, the “Hindi Medium” star pledged to raise awareness about key issues affecting young people, including child marriage, education access, mental health, gender equality, climate change, and the devastating effects of violence, exploitation, and child poverty.
