Saba Qamar Leads UNICEF’s Drive to End Child Marriage in Pakistan
Islamabad: The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has launched a video campaign to end child marriage in Pakistan, in which National Ambassador for Child Rights, actress Saba Qamar, played a key role.
During the campaign, Saba Qamar met young champions like 14-year-old Anam Nazir from Sujawal (Sindh), who succeeded in stopping three child marriages in her community.
Saba Qamar said, “I am proud to be part of these voices that expose the pain hidden behind closed doors.”
The video campaign highlighted the devastating effects of child marriage on the health, education and future of girls.
Saba Qamar said in a video message, “We must challenge a system that robs children of their childhood and autonomy.”
Pakistan has the sixth highest number of child brides in the world, with an estimated 19 million girls married before the age of 18.
Nearly half of them become pregnant before the legal age, putting both mother and child at risk.
“Child marriage is not just a product of poverty, but also of gender inequality and societal expectations,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
We urgently need legal reform, cultural change and investment in girls.”
UNICEF commended Islamabad’s decision to set the minimum age of marriage at 18 and encouraged other provinces to follow suit.
The campaign, launched in collaboration with UNFPA, UN Women, and government partners, includes campaigns such as ‘Speak Up’, dialogues with religious leaders, and leadership by youth champions.
Abdullah Fadil called Saba Qamar a “powerful advocate” for children and said that he wanted to work with her to build a Pakistan where every child, especially every girl, has the right to learn, grow, and develop.
