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Pakistani actor and UNICEF National Ambassador for Child Rights Saba Qamar has lent her voice to a new campaign aimed at raising awareness about the urgent need to end child marriage in Pakistan. Launched by UNICEF, the video campaign highlights the voices of young change-makers and underscores the deep-rooted impact of early marriage on girls’ futures.
Inspiration from the Field: A 14-Year-Old Hero
“I met inspiring young champions like Anam Nazir, 14, who stopped three marriages in her community in Sujawal, Sindh,” Qamar shared in a video message. “I am proud to lend my voice to this campaign, for all the girls—and sometimes boys—who suffer behind closed doors because of child marriage.”
Qamar spoke with conviction about the long-term damage caused by child marriage, including its effects on health, education, and personal agency. “Why should any child in Pakistan be forced into a marriage and a future they did not choose?” she asked.
The Alarming Statistics Behind the Practice
Pakistan ranks sixth globally in the number of child brides, with an estimated 19 million girls married before turning 18. Nearly half of these girls become pregnant before reaching legal adulthood, posing serious health risks to both mother and child.
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Educational outcomes are also stark: only 13% of married girls complete secondary school, compared to 44% of their unmarried peers, dramatically reducing their chances for financial independence and informed life choices.
A Call for Legal and Social Change
“Child marriage is often driven by poverty but is also deeply rooted in entrenched gender norms and societal expectations,” said Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan.
Fadil emphasized the need for a multi-pronged strategy to end child marriage:
- Legal reforms and strict enforcement,
- Cultural transformation through awareness and community dialogue, and
- Greater investment in adolescent girls — in their rights, education, and well-being.
“How can Pakistan succeed when half the team is left on the sidelines?” he questioned.
Progress and Partnerships: A Step in the Right Direction
UNICEF welcomed the Islamabad Capital Territory’s decision to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18, following in the footsteps of Sindh province, the first in Pakistan to implement this law. The agency urged other provinces and territories to seize the momentum and act decisively.
The video campaign is part of a broader advocacy effort, supported by UNFPA, UN Women, and government partners, aiming to:
- Standardize the legal age of marriage to 18 nationwide,
- Engage communities, caregivers, and religious leaders through dialogues and campaigns like BOLO (Speak Up), and
- Encourage youth-led activism and the emergence of girl champions.
A Voice for the Voiceless
“Saba Qamar is a powerful advocate for children,” said Abdullah 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.”
