The 14-year-old United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls Empowerment in Pakistan is Zunaira Qayyum.
Originating from Balochistan, Zunaira is an advocate of child rights and climate action having represented young people of Pakistan at national and international events including COP 29.
Among the UNICEF Policy Research Challenge in 2023 winners was Zunaira’s study on the effects of floods brought on by climate change on girls’ secondary education in Hub, Balochistan.
Reaction from Zunaira Qayyum
“I am honoured to join UNICEF Pakistan as a Youth Advocate to champion children’s rights and well-being. Meaningful change starts with listening to the voices of children and youth and making sure we can participate in decisions that shape our future,” said Zunaira Qayyum.
According to UNICEF, the rising hazards from climate change and destructive weather phenomena including floods, droughs and heat waves affect Pakistani children.
From heat waves in Punjab to floods in Sindh, a new UNICEF study shows that 26 million students in Pakistan in 2024 had their education disrupted by climate-induced hazards. Considering the indirect effects of climate change, including air pollution, 16 million children in Punjab in November 2024 were impacted by closed classrooms since their young lungs were breathing in poisonous air.
