Pakistan’s 14-year-old teenager girl Zunaira Qayyum has been appointed by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund's (UNICEF) Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls' Empowerment.
Hailing from the Balochistan province she also represented Pakistani youth at COP29 held in Baku Azerbaijan in November 2024. Her appointment was announced at the "Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference" held in Pakistani Capital Islamabad which highlighted her remarkable work as a champion for climate action and child rights.
It is worthy to mention that her research on the impacts of climate change including the floods on girls’ education in Balochistan, was recognized as one of the winners of the UNICEF Policy Research Challenge in 2023.
The appointment comes at a critical time, as children in Pakistan face increasing threats from climate change and destructive weather events. According to UNICEF climate-induced hazards disrupted schooling for 26 million children in Pakistan in 2024.
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