Kathmandu, Every year, about 6,500 adolescent girls in South Asia die in childbirth and most of them are minors who have limited power over their reproductive health or lives, according to a joint analysis by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA.
In South Asia there are 290 million child brides, almost half of the world's burden. In three South Asian countries, they are also four times more likely to be out of school than their single peers, according to analysis by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the World Children's Organization. Health (WHO) and the United Nations Fund. of Population Activities (UNFPA).
At the two-day Regional Dialogue on Adolescent Pregnancy in South Asia, which concluded here on Friday, SAARC countries, UNICEF South Asia, UNFPA and WHO called for greater commitment to critical services for more than 2.2 million adolescent girls who give birth annually in South Asia. Asia, according to a joint press release issued by the agencies.
"I appreciate the role of governments, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society in the improvements made by the SAARC region over the years in reducing teenage pregnancy," said Ambassador Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC.
“But the region still has a long way to go. “I appeal to everyone to resolutely address the root causes including child marriage, access to adolescent health education and removal of social stigma in the management of the adolescent population of the SAARC region,” he said. .
Nearly 6,500 adolescent girls die during childbirth in South Asia every year, according to an analysis by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA, according to the joint analysis. Most of them are married girls who have limited power over their reproductive health or lives.
When girls give birth, their lives may be in danger as they are not yet physically ready to give birth. Thousands more girls are forced to drop out of school, face stigma, rejection, violence, unemployment and lifelong social challenges. 49 percent of South Asian girls are not in education, employment or training, the highest number in the world, according to the press release.
“We must do better on behalf of adolescent girls, particularly those who are married, pregnant or have parents. In addition to obstacles to learning, getting good healthcare and eating nutritious foods, they are denied the opportunity to develop skills and start businesses – everything they need as parents to thrive and develop their potential,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director of UNICEF for the South. Asia.
“We must work together and invest in opportunities to realize the promise of more than 170 million adolescent girls in South Asia. Doing so would be transformative for this region,” he stated.
Government and United Nations officials, adolescent girls and civil society representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to providing better services to support adolescent girls pregnant women and young mothers. This includes opportunities to learn, set up businesses and earn a living.
The event held in Kathmandu on 11-12 July was jointly organized by SAARC, WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA and was inaugurated by SAARC Secretary-General Ambassador Golam Sarwar.
Teenage mothers have a much higher risk of dying from maternal causes, compared to women in their 20s and 30s.
“It is time to reverse this trend. The unique physical, cognitive, social, emotional and sexual development during adolescence requires special attention in national and international policies. Effective strategies to address adolescent pregnancy require cross-sector collaboration and equitable access to a range of services,” said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia.
In South Asia there are 290 million child brides, almost half of the world's burden. In three South Asian countries, they are also four times more likely to be out of school than their single peers, according to analysis by the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the World Children's Organization. Health (WHO) and the United Nations Fund. of Population Activities (UNFPA).
At the two-day Regional Dialogue on Adolescent Pregnancy in South Asia, which concluded here on Friday, SAARC countries, UNICEF South Asia, UNFPA and WHO called for greater commitment to critical services for more than 2.2 million adolescent girls who give birth annually in South Asia. Asia, according to a joint press release issued by the agencies.
"I appreciate the role of governments, UN agencies, NGOs and civil society in the improvements made by the SAARC region over the years in reducing teenage pregnancy," said Ambassador Golam Sarwar, Secretary General of SAARC.
“But the region still has a long way to go. “I appeal to everyone to resolutely address the root causes including child marriage, access to adolescent health education and removal of social stigma in the management of the adolescent population of the SAARC region,” he said. .
Nearly 6,500 adolescent girls die during childbirth in South Asia every year, according to an analysis by UNICEF, WHO and UNFPA, according to the joint analysis. Most of them are married girls who have limited power over their reproductive health or lives.
When girls give birth, their lives may be in danger as they are not yet physically ready to give birth. Thousands more girls are forced to drop out of school, face stigma, rejection, violence, unemployment and lifelong social challenges. 49 percent of South Asian girls are not in education, employment or training, the highest number in the world, according to the press release.
“We must do better on behalf of adolescent girls, particularly those who are married, pregnant or have parents. In addition to obstacles to learning, getting good healthcare and eating nutritious foods, they are denied the opportunity to develop skills and start businesses – everything they need as parents to thrive and develop their potential,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, Regional Director of UNICEF for the South. Asia.
“We must work together and invest in opportunities to realize the promise of more than 170 million adolescent girls in South Asia. Doing so would be transformative for this region,” he stated.
Government and United Nations officials, adolescent girls and civil society representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka participated in the dialogue and reaffirmed their commitment to providing better services to support adolescent girls pregnant women and young mothers. This includes opportunities to learn, set up businesses and earn a living.
The event held in Kathmandu on 11-12 July was jointly organized by SAARC, WHO, UNICEF and UNFPA and was inaugurated by SAARC Secretary-General Ambassador Golam Sarwar.
Teenage mothers have a much higher risk of dying from maternal causes, compared to women in their 20s and 30s.
“It is time to reverse this trend. The unique physical, cognitive, social, emotional and sexual development during adolescence requires special attention in national and international policies. Effective strategies to address adolescent pregnancy require cross-sector collaboration and equitable access to a range of services,” said Saima Wazed, WHO Regional Director for Southeast Asia.
