ISLAMABAD: UNICEF has appointed Zunaira Qayyum Baloch, a 14-year-old climate activist from Hub, Balochistan, as its Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls’ Empowerment in Pakistan.
Zunaira, a passionate advocate for climate action and child rights, has represented Pakistan’s youth on national and global platforms, including COP29. The announcement was made at the Dawn Media Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference, highlighting UNICEF’s commitment to empowering young voices.
“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 children and youth and ensuring we participate in decisions shaping our future,” Zunaira stated.
Her research on climate change-induced floods and their impact on girls’ secondary education in Hub was among the winners of the UNICEF Policy Research Challenge 2023. She has since used UNICEF’s Youth Advocacy Guide to train adolescents in policy engagement, research, and campaign-building.
Climate Change and Its Impact on Children
Pakistan’s children face growing threats from climate change, with extreme weather events like floods, droughts, and heatwaves disrupting education. A UNICEF analysis revealed that climate hazards disrupted schooling for 26 million children in 2023, from heatwaves in Punjab to floods in Sindh.
Secondary climate effects, such as air pollution, further impacted learning, with 16 million children affected in Punjab in November 2024 due to school closures caused by hazardous air quality.
UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, Abdullah Fadil, welcomed Zunaira’s appointment, stating:
“The climate crisis is one of the greatest challenges we face. But when I listen to Zunaira and the children of Pakistan, I find hope and inspiration. We must do more to empower young people with opportunities to lead, act, and help Pakistan prosper.”
Story by Amin Ahmed
