Who is Pernille Ironside? All Details About Newly Appointed UNICEF Representative in Pakistan

Pernille Ironside, recently appointed as UNICEF’s Representative in Pakistan, has officially begun her tenure by presenting her credentials to Nabeel Munir, Special Secretary (UN) at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In her new role, Ms. Ironside will provide strategic leadership for UNICEF’s country programme, which takes a comprehensive approach to child well-being — focusing on nurturing, educating, protecting, and supporting children from birth through adolescence. During the meeting, she reaffirmed UNICEF’s dedication to safeguarding and advancing the rights of every child in Pakistan.

“It is an honour to lead UNICEF’s vital work for children in Pakistan. The needs of children are vast, and their potential is even greater. I look forward to building on strong foundations and working in close partnership with the Government, UN and other development partners, civil society, the public and private sectors, and passionate child rights advocates. Together, we have a powerful opportunity to create positive, lasting change so that every child can truly thrive,” said Ms. Ironside.

Under her leadership, UNICEF will maintain its support to the Government of Pakistan by delivering both long-term development programmes and humanitarian assistance. Priority areas include:

• Strengthening the education system to expand access and improve learning outcomes.

• Enhancing maternal and newborn healthcare.

• Combating child malnutrition.

• Increasing access to safe water and sanitation.

• Strengthening child protection, birth registration, and gender equality.

• Protecting children from disasters, climate change, and environmental risks.

Ms. Ironside, a Canadian national, brings more than two decades of experience in international development, humanitarian action, and child rights advocacy, all within UNICEF. Her career has included roles such as Deputy Director of Data, Planning, Analytics and Monitoring at UNICEF Headquarters in New York, Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Chief of Field Operations in Iraq, Chief of the Gaza Strip Field Office, Senior Global Advisor on Child Protection in Emergencies, and Child Protection Specialist in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. She has also undertaken deployments in Yemen, the Philippines, and Pakistan.

Reflecting on Pakistan’s demographic potential, Ms. Ironside stated:

“With nearly half of Pakistan’s population under 18 and two-thirds below age 30, Pakistan holds extraordinary promise. This young population can be a catalyst for transformation. By investing in education, early childhood and neonatal care, nutrition, safe water, child protection, and increasing climate resilience, we can unlock the talent and creativity of children and young people to drive progress and prosperity. I look forward to leading UNICEF’s mission and being a champion for every child.”

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