Adolescent girls have vision for better future – UNFPA
By Idris Ayinde
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has said that adolescent girls have visions for a better future of how their lives would be which must be supported and protected in their journey from adolescence to adulthood.
The Executive Director, UNFPA, Dr. Natalia Kanem stated this in Bauchi during the commemoration of the 2024 International Day of the Girl Child.
Represented by the Bauchi State Coordinator of UNFPA, Deborah Tabara, Kanem, however, lamented that for millions of girls, adolescence is a time when doors slam shut.
“The gradual transition to adulthood is ended abruptly as early pregnancy and gender-based violence, including harmful practices like child marriage and female genital mutilation, deprive them of their fundamental rights and choices.
“Poverty, protracted conflicts and chronic fragility make these risks even more likely,” she said
The Executive Director explained that adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 in low- and middle-income countries have 21 million pregnancies a year, adding that out of this figure, nearly half are unintended.
According to her, Complications related to pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death for adolescent girls worldwide.
“Last month, world leaders signed a global pact that included commitments to dismantle gender inequality and address the violations it fuels, which act as brakes on girls’ aspirations.
“They recognized that the peace and prosperity of our shared future depend on the ability of adolescent girls to exercise their human rights and reach their full potential.
“When adolescent girls are healthy, educated, and empowered with skills and opportunities to shape a bright future, they and their children, if they choose to have them in adulthood, have greater chances at a better life,” she said.
Earlier, the UNFPA Nigeria Resident Representative, Dr. Gifty Addico, applauded Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state for his investment and commitment to the development of adolescent girls in the state development plans and for providing an enabling environment for development programmes.
Addico reiterated the UNFPA’s commitment in partnering with the Bauchi State Government to address the plight of Women and Girls in the state.
Also speaking, Head of Programme, Ikra Foundation for Women and Youth Development (IFWYD), Huzaifa Abubakar stated the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child is to celebrate the strength, resilience and potential of young girls around the world.
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