From Balochistan to Global Stage: Zunaira’s Path to Youth Advocate for UNICEF Pakistan
I’m excited to share my story as a committed climate action and girls’ education advocate. In 2023, I emerged victorious in the esteemed Policy Research Challenge, a Great initiative from School of leadership foundation,where I shared my research on the crippling effects of climate change floods on secondary girls’ education in Hub,Balochistan.
This experience initiated a domino effect of opportunities. I worked with other advocates to create policy recommendations, and attended trainings. I also got the opportunity to attend and speak at COP 29, where I spoke for sessions on innovation and sustainability.
UNICEF noticed my work and appointed me as their 2nd youth advocate for women empowerment and climate action.
Along the way, I’ve developed my leadership, research, and advocacy abilities. What matters more is that I’ve witnessed the real-world impact of my efforts on communities, especially in Balochistan. I’m still committed to making a positive difference and pushing for a more sustainable and equitable future.
Read more about Zunaira’s journey:
Bridging Gaps: Memoona’s Work in Policy, Climate, and for Women’s Rights
In November 2023, Memoona won the Policy Research Challenge, organized by the School of Leadership Foundation in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA under Generation Unlimited. Her research, “Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Climate Change: Impact on Women in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan,” highlighted the intersection of climate change, women’s health, and human rights, emphasizing the urgent need for inclusive policies.
Building on this research, Memoona collaborated with fellow advocates to develop joint policy recommendations addressing these interconnected challenges. Presented at the international level, these recommendations call for inclusive and sustainable policies that prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls in climate-vulnerable regions.
In 2024, she took her advocacy to the global stage at the Girls Go Green Summit Asia-Pacific in Thailand, where she served as an organizer and facilitator, leading a session on Green Entrepreneurship and Innovation. This platform allowed her to propose international policy recommendations, reinforcing her commitment to climate advocacy and women’s empowerment. UNICEF further amplified her voice by providing opportunities to present policy recommendations at both national and international levels.
Most recently, in February 2025, Memoona served as a panelist for the Gien Webinar, where she underscored the critical role of girls and women in STEM and sustainable development, offering key recommendations for fostering innovation and sustainability.
Her journey has not only strengthened her leadership, research, and advocacy skills but has also had a tangible impact on communities, particularly in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan. By amplifying the voices of women and girls in the region, her work has contributed to local and national discussions, ensuring a more inclusive and sustainable approach to climate action.
Memoona remains committed to driving meaningful change and advocating for a more equitable and sustainable future, particularly for the most vulnerable populations.
Muniza’s Journey of Advancing Climate Advocacy Through Research and Action
In November 2023, Muniza emerged as the winner of the Policy Research Challenge, organized by the School of Leadership Foundation in collaboration with Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, UNDP, and UNFPA. Her research, “Textual to Practical Education: Enhancing Student-Teacher Capacity in Adopting Climate Protection Strategies,” highlighted the importance of integrating climate policies into education, with a strong emphasis on practical application over theoretical learning. This achievement became a turning point in her journey, deepening her commitment to climate advocacy and inspiring her to take meaningful action beyond the competition.
“Presenting my research at the Policy Research Roundtable Conference in June 2024, Islamabad, allowed me to engage with policymakers, experts, and youth advocates. This exposure enhanced my understanding of climate governance and strengthened my ability to translate research into actionable policy recommendations. It also reinforced my passion for practical climate education and inspired me to take a proactive role in shaping climate policies at both grassroots and institutional levels. Building on this momentum, I participated in a UNICEF training on Policy Negotiation, Advocacy, Awareness Raising, and Strengthening a Youth-Led Movement on Climate Change. This training enhanced my leadership in climate advocacy and led to my involvement in the Blue Scarfs community, dedicated to promoting climate resilience. Additionally, I was an ambassador for LCOY Punjab 2024, and earned a recognition as Best Volunteer for LCOY Wasaib 2024. These experiences empowered me to mentor young advocates as an advisor and Lead of Punjab Chapter for youth led organization “Green Impact Movement” and Director of Environment for newly launched organization “Bahwalpur Awargi”, where I guide youth in public speaking, policy engagement and educating them on climate change and sustainability.
After a year of training and leadership experience, I conducted my first online session on “Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”, under the banner of “Green Impact Movement”. It was a transformative step in my journey as an educate and advocate for sustainability. This session aimed to introduce young advocates to the 17 SDGs, their significance in both local and global climate action, and practical ways ad an individual we can contribute to achieving them. The participants engagement and reflections made this session even more impactful.
“I learned how we can make strategies to follow up on SDGs and achieve these goals by 2030”
-Izzah Javed
“This session reinforced the urgency of climate action, the power of collaborative change, and the role of SDGs in shaping a better future for all.”
-Syed Sikandar
The experience and feedback not only strengthened my confidence as a speaker and educator but also highlighted the urgent need to equip young individuals with the knowledge and skills to drive change. My journey from winning the Policy Research Challenge to conducting educational sessions is now enabling me to train my students to become environmentally responsible citizens, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of education.”
Programme:
Policy Research Challenge 2023 (Adolescent Category) Grant Winners are Ehsan Irshad
1. Research Title:
Analyses of the Impact of Water Quality Standards and Sustainable Urban Water Management on the health of locals in Karachi
Brief Profile:
Ehsan, a dedicated young researcher from Karachi, won the prestigious Policy Research Challenge organized by the School of Leadership Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, and Generation Unlimited. His project focused on analyzing the impact of water quality standards and sustainable urban water management on the health of local communities in Karachi. For his outstanding work, Ehsan was awarded a grant of PKR 150,000 to further advance his research. With a passion for improving public health and urban sustainability, he continues to make a positive impact on his community through his findings and contributions.
2. Research Title:
Exploring Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Livelihood Transition in Urban Informal Settlements Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise in Dist Badin, Sindh. Grant Winners are Ayaan Dawoodani
Brief Profile:
Ayaan Malik, a 14-year-old from Karachi, participated in the Policy Research Challenge organized by the School of Leadership Foundation (SoLF) in collaboration with UNICEF, UNDP, UNFPA, and the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP). After being awarded a grant of PKR 100,000 to conduct research, he dedicated time to completing an in-depth study on his chosen policy topic. Once his research was finalized, Ayaan was selected to present his findings at a roundtable discussion in front of Rana Mashood Khan, the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
3. Research Title:
Exploring Climate Change Adaptation Strategies and Livelihood Transition in Urban Informal Settlements Vulnerable to Sea Level Rise in Dist Badin, Sindh. Grant Winners are Zunaira Bibi
Brief Profile:
Zunaira Qayyum, a Grade 8 student from Hub City, Balochistan, and an alumnus of the School of Intensive Teaching, has achieved notable recognition in her academic journey. She won the Policy Research Challenge organized by the School of Leadership Foundation in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, and SoLF under Generation Unlimited, focusing on climate change and girls’ education. This accomplishment earned her a grant of PKR 100,000 to further her work. Following this success, Zunaira attended a conference in Islamabad and was selected for UNICEF’s Youth Advocacy Guide Training in Nepal. Currently, she is rolling out this training for 40 young individuals in her community, aspiring to become a Youth Advocate at UNICEF and continue driving positive change.
Programme Name:
Policy Research Challenge 2023 (Youth Category) Grant Winners: Shahid Kamal
1. Research Title:
Smog Governance: Assessing the impact of smog on air quality: A case study of Lahore
Brief Profile:
Shahid Kamal is a developmental and academic researcher with a professional background in policy formulation and implementation. He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Peshawar and a Master’s in Politics and Public Policy from Forman Christian College University, Lahore. ..
Shahid’s research and academic interests include migrant and displacement issues, climate governance and policy, border studies, and Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Over the past four years, he has contributed to various academic and developmental projects in different capacities, gaining extensive experience in project implementation and coordination..
As a participant in the Policy Research Challenge (PRC), Shahid Kamal won a grant of PKR 500,000 for his research titled “Smog Governance: Assessing the Impact of Smog on Air Quality – A Case Study of Lahore.
In the future, Shahid aims to continue his work on climate governance and policy reform, focusing on sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and advancing his expertise in developmental research.
Shahid’s research and academic interests include migrant and displacement issues, climate governance and policy, border studies, and Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. Over the past four years, he has contributed to various academic and developmental projects in different capacities, gaining extensive experience in project implementation and coordination..
As a participant in the Policy Research Challenge (PRC), Shahid Kamal won a grant of PKR 500,000 for his research titled “Smog Governance: Assessing the Impact of Smog on Air Quality – A Case Study of Lahore.
In the future, Shahid aims to continue his work on climate governance and policy reform, focusing on sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and advancing his expertise in developmental research.
2. Research Title:
Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as Pakistan`s Roadmap to Climate-Smart Agriculture Policies Grant Winners are Majid Ali
Brief Profile:
Majid Ali, an independent researcher, content writer, and community volunteer, won a grant of PKR 300,000 as a participant in the Policy Research Challenge (PRC). His research, titled “Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as Pakistan’s Roadmap to Climate-Smart Agriculture Policies,” focuses on innovative strategies for promoting sustainable and resilient agricultural practices in Pakistan. Through this research, Majid aims to contribute to the development of climate-smart policies that ensure environmental sustainability and food security.
3. Research Title:
Textual to Practical Climate Education: Enhancing Student-Teacher Capacity in Adopting Climate Protection Strategies Grant Winners are Muniza Imran Mueed
Brief Profile:
Muniza is student of BS Education at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, she is actively engaged in initiatives related to education and climate change, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 4 and 13. Her dedication and passion for transforming Pakistan’s education system were recognized when she won a PKR 200,000 grant in the Policy Research Challenge (PRC), organized by the School of Leadership Foundation, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, and Generation Unlimited. She continues to strive for positive change through her work in education and sustainability.