PESHAWAR
The Directorate of Social Welfare Merged Areas, in collaboration with the University of Peshawar and UNICEF on Thursday organized a one-day event titled “Roots & Rights: Adolescent Girls as Agents of Change for Climate and Child Protection” at the University Model School for Girls, highlighting the role of young girls in promoting climate action and child protection.
The event was attended by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peshawar as Chief Guest, while Mr. Rydek, Chief of Field Office UNICEF, participated as Guest of Honor.
The event featured a range of activities led by adolescent girls, including a plantation drive, theatre performances on child protection themes, storytelling sessions, and presentations on life skills and peer support.
A key highlight was the girls-led plantation campaign symbolizing commitment to environmental sustainability and child rights.
Addressing the gathering, the Vice Chancellor, University of Peshawar Prof. Dr Johar appreciated the joint efforts of the Social Welfare Department and UNICEF in promoting child protection through youth engagement.
He emphasized the role of academic institutions in building awareness, leadership, and social responsibility among adolescents, particularly girls, to address challenges faced by vulnerable children.
Mr. Rydek reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to empowering children and adolescents, stressing the importance of investing in girls’ leadership and ensuring safe environments where their voices are heard.
He noted that adolescent girls are actively contributing to child protection initiatives, including online safety, leadership development, recreational engagement, and life skills-based education, and are further disseminating this knowledge within their communities.
Participants also shared messages promoting climate action, prevention of child marriage, online safety, and psychosocial well-being.
The initiative builds on ongoing child protection efforts in Peshawar and merged districts, where adolescent girls’ clubs are playing a vital role in awareness and community engagement.
The event concluded with reflections from participants and a renewed commitment by stakeholders to continue supporting adolescent engagement, climate action, and child protection initiatives across the province.
Among other distinguished attendees were Additional Secretary Social Welfare Umara Khan, Child Protection Officer UNICEF Bushra Ajmal, Deputy Director Social Welfare (Merged Areas) Obaid Ur Rahman, Principal Nazneen Maqsood, Dr. Shakeel Ahmad (HOD Social Work Department and Director BIC), along with officials Amjid Mehmood and Kainat Farooqi.
