The world population reached 8 billion, with the largest generation of youth in history facing an unprecedented number of challenges to health and wellbeing . At the ICFP2022, India received the Leadership in Family Planning (EXCELL) Awards-2022 in the country category .
New Delhi, India, November 24 (PNN): Last week, the world population reached 8 billion, with the largest generation of youth in history-1.8 billion adolescents and youth (aged 0 to 24) facing an unprecedented number of challenges to health and wellbeing.At the International Conference on Family Planning (ICFP2022), the world's largest scientific conference on family planning and reproductive health and rights, more than 3,500 participants from governments, parliaments, organizations, the private sector, academia, and other organizations attended the event.At the ICFP2022, India received the Leadership in Family Planning (EXCELL) Awards-2022 in the country category, with approximately 12 million girls aged 15-19 years and at least 777,000 girls under the age of 15 giving birth to children in developing regions each year.In low- and middle-income countries, at least 10 million unintended pregnancy happens each year, while pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death among girls aged 15-19 years globally, while pregnancy and childbirth are among the leading causes of death for girls aged 15-19 years.Adolescent girls are at a higher risk of unsafe abortions due to age-related stigma and discrimination, as well as ineffective or restrictive laws.
COVID-19 is expected to reduce adolescent access to modern contraceptives by 12 percent and access to maternity care by 25 percent, according to Sahil Tandon, the Packard Foundation Vice Chair; and Co-Chair of the Global Forum for Adolescents.Young leaders have potential, influence, and push, and they should be shaping the agenda that impacts them with their questions, demands, and aspirations for their well-being.ICFP2022 culminated in the publication of a global consensus paper titled Let Them Know: A Youth-Led AYSRHR Global Roadmap for Action.The roadmap for achieving full equality for all young people was created by more than 40 youth-led organizations. The 1.8 billion Young People for Change initiative of the PMNCH will include the world's largest youth gathering, the Global Forum for Adolescents, in October 2023.Young people participated in an intergenerational dialogue with national and international leaders at the conference.The Lunch with Leaders program, hosted by PMNCH in collaboration with UNFPA, gave attendees the opportunity to talk directly with leaders and policymakers on their reform agendas.Policymakers should ask their constituents what they want, work in alliances, and take a multidisciplinary approach to adolescent and youth wellbeing, according to Dr David Imbago, YIELD Hub director and a Board Member at PMNCH.During the lunch, he said to policymakers that it is an opportunity for you to think about future conditions and collaborations.All the data shows that an investment in adolescents makes economic sense and yields a high return. Many of us are already bringing about change on the road by providing access to stigma-free tools, programs, and peer-led support.We should be able to do our jobs effectively and sustainably by having access to flexible and sustainable funding.We want our rights, we want accountability, we want to be an equal partner in this journey together for SRHR, and we need change now.