UNICEF has named 14-year-old Zunaira Qayyum its Youth Advocate for Climate Action and Girls Empowerment in Pakistan. Zunaira, who is from Balochistan, is an advocate for child rights and climate action.

She has represented Pakistan's youth at COP 29 and other national and international gatherings. Announced at the Dawn Media Breathe Pakistan Climate Conference, the appointment inspires youngsters worldwide to take a stand and be proactive advocates for children's rights.

As a Youth Advocate for UNICEF Pakistan, I am honored to support the rights and welfare of children. Zunaira Qayyum stated that hearing the opinions of children and young people and ensuring their participation in decisions that affect our future are the first steps towards bringing about meaningful change.

Zunaira's study on how floods brought on by climate change affect secondary education for girls in Hub, Balochistan, was one of the 2023 UNICEF Policy Research Challenge winners.

Since then, Zunaira has been actively involved in advocacy, training young people in Hub, Balochistan, in advocacy, policy engagement, research, and campaign network development utilizing UNICEF's Youth Advocacy Guide.

Climate change and extreme weather events, including heat waves, droughts, and floods, pose a growing hazard to Pakistani children. Additionally, climate change is exacerbating the learning dilemma and endangering children's educational opportunities.

26 million children in Pakistan had school disruptions in 2024 due to climate-related risks, such as floods in Sindh and heatwaves in Punjab, according to a recent UNICEF report. 16 million children in Punjab were impacted by closed classes in November 2024 as a result of their young lungs breathing in poisonous air, which is one of the indirect effects of climate change, along with air pollution.

As I listen to Zunaira and the youngsters of Pakistan, I find inspiration and optimism for the future, even if the climate issue is one of the greatest problems we have ever faced. Children and young people need more opportunities to lead, take action, and contribute to the prosperity of this nation.

UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Abdullah Fadil remarked, "We are honored to welcome Zunaira as a UNICEF Youth Advocate as we work to safeguard children's futures."