Unicef Ambassador Saba Qamar Leads Campaign to End Child Marriage in Pakistan

ISLAMABAD – In a powerful new video campaign launched by the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), Pakistani actor and National Ambassador for Child Rights, Saba Qamar, has called for urgent action to end child marriage in Pakistan.

The campaign highlights the devastating impact of child marriage on girls’ health, education, and future, and aims to mobilize public support, legal reform, and community engagement to eradicate the practice.

“I met inspiring young champions like Anam Nazir, 14, who stopped three marriages in her community in Sujawal, Sindh,” said Qamar. “I am proud to lend my voice to this campaign—for all the girls, and sometimes boys too, who suffer behind closed doors because of child marriage.”

During a video message, Qamar condemned the practice as a violation of children’s rights, questioning why any child in Pakistan should be “forced into a marriage and a future they did not choose.”

Pakistan has the sixth highest number of child brides globally, with an estimated 19 million girls married before the age of 18. Nearly half become pregnant before reaching adulthood, posing serious health risks and limiting their access to education. Only 13% of married girls complete secondary school, compared to 44% of unmarried girls.

Unicef Representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, emphasized the need for comprehensive reform. “We cannot allow the circumstances a child is born into dictate their entire futures. Child marriage is often fueled by poverty, but also by deeply rooted gender norms and societal expectations.”

Fadil called for a multi-pronged approach, including legal reforms, cultural shifts, and increased investment in adolescent girls. “How can Pakistan succeed when half the team is left on the sidelines?” he said.

Unicef welcomed the recent move by Islamabad Capital Territory to raise the legal marriage age to 18, following Sindh’s lead, and urged all remaining provinces to enact similar legislation.

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The campaign is part of a broader Unicef initiative in partnership with UNFPA, UN Women, and government agencies. The efforts include raising the legal marriage age nationwide, promoting girl-led activism, engaging communities through awareness drives like the BOLO (“Speak Up”) campaign, and fostering dialogue with parents, religious leaders, and caregivers.

“Ms Qamar is a powerful advocate for children,” said Fadil. “We are proud to work with her to shine a light on the challenges too many children face, and to accelerate progress toward a future where every child—especially every girl—can learn, grow, and thrive.”