WORLD POPULATION DAY: UN SPOTLIGHTS TEEN PREGNANCY AND NEED TO EMPOWER GIRLS

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From: UNNews <UNNews@un.org>
Date: 11 Jul 2013 10:00:01 -0400
Subject: WORLD POPULATION DAY: UN SPOTLIGHTS TEEN PREGNANCY AND NEED
TO EMPOWER GIRLS
To: news11@ny-mail-p-lb-028.ptc.un.org

WORLD POPULATION DAY: UN SPOTLIGHTS TEEN PREGNANCY AND NEED TO EMPOWER GIRLS
New York, Jul 11 2013 10:00AM
United Nations officials marked World Population Day today by
spotlighting the issue of adolescent pregnancy, and calling on
Governments to take measures to enable girls to make responsible life
choices and realize their potential.

About 16 million girls under age 18 give birth each year, according to
the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), which noted that another 3.2 million
undergo unsafe abortions.

The vast majority -- 90 per cent -- of the pregnant adolescents in the
developing world are married. But for far too many of these girls,
pregnancy has little to do with informed choice, said the agency.

UNFPA pointed out that adolescent pregnancy is a health issue: the
youngest mothers face a heightened risk of maternal complications,
death and disability, including obstetric fistula. Their children face
higher risks as well. It is also an issue of human rights: adolescent
pregnancy often means an abrupt end of childhood, a curtailed
education and lost opportunities.

"This sensitive topic demands global attention," Secretary-General Ban
Ki-moon said in his <"
http://www.un.org/sg/statements/?nid=6964">message for the Day,
observed annually on 11 July.

To address the problems associated with adolescent pregnancy, Mr. Ban
stressed the need to get girls into primary school and enable them to
receive a good education through their adolescence. "When a young girl
is educated, she is more likely to marry later, delay childbearing
until she is ready, have healthier children, and earn a higher
income."

He also cited the need to provide all adolescents with
age-appropriate, comprehensive education on sexuality, stating that
this is especially important to empower young women to decide when and
if they wish to become mothers. Also vital is providing comprehensive
sexual and reproductive health services, as well as the maternal
health services that women need.

"When we devote attention and resources to the education, health and
well-being of adolescent girls, they will become an even greater force
for positive change in society that will have an impact for
generations to come."

UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin <"
http://www.unfpa.org/public/home/news/pid/14426">stated that
adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue, but also a
development issue.

"It is deeply rooted in poverty, gender inequality, violence, child
and forced marriage, power imbalances between adolescent girls and
their male partners, lack of education, and the failure of systems and
institutions to protect their rights," he said in his message for the
Day.

"Breaking the cycle of adolescent pregnancy requires commitment from
nations, communities and individuals in both developed and developing
countries to invest in adolescent girls, he said. Governments should
enact and enforce national laws that raise the age of marriage to 18
and should promote community-based efforts that support girls' rights
and prevent child marriage and its consequences.

"Today, we call on Governments, the international community and all
stakeholders involved to take measures that enable adolescent girls to
make responsible life choices and to provide the necessary support for
them in cases when their rights are threatened," said Dr. Osotimehin.

"Every young girl, regardless of where she lives, or her economic
circumstances, has the right to fulfil her human potential. Today, too
many girls are denied that right. We can change that, and we must."
Jul 11 2013 10:00AM
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