Saba Qamar Joins UNICEF Campaign Against Child Marriage

UNICEF launched a powerful video campaign featuring renowned actress and National Ambassador for Child Rights, Saba Qamar, to raise awareness about child marriage in Pakistan.

In the video, Saba Qamar urges communities to speak up and take action, highlighting the dangers young girls face when forced into marriage—such as poor health, lack of education, and lost opportunities.

“Why should any child in Pakistan be forced into a marriage they didn’t choose?” she asks. She also shares the story of Anam Nazir, a 14-year-old girl who stopped three child marriages in her area, calling her a symbol of the change Pakistan needs.

With nearly 19 million girls in Pakistan married before the age of 18, the country ranks sixth globally in child marriage. Most of these girls drop out of school and face serious health risks from early pregnancies.

UNICEF Pakistan Representative Abdullah Fadil explained that poverty and harmful traditions fuel child marriage. “We need stronger laws, better support for girls, and a cultural shift,” he said. “How can Pakistan progress when half our children are left behind?”

Fadil praised Islamabad’s recent decision to raise the legal marriage age to 18 and urged other provinces to follow suit. He called Saba Qamar “a powerful voice for change,” emphasizing UNICEF’s joint mission with UN partners to protect children and empower youth across the country.

Also Read: Saba Qamar Opens Up About Feeling Her Life Is ‘Incomplete’