UNFPA Resident Representative in the I.R. of Iran at the event on the occasion of the World Population Day 2013

Address by Dr. Mehmet Hulki Uz, UNFPA Resident Representative in the I.R. of Iran at the event on the occasion of the World Population Day 2013 “Adolescent Pregnancy and Choice” , AVA Diplomatic Reports.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my immense pleasure to address this gathering of distinguished guests on the occasion of the celebration of World Population Day 2013.

The global theme of this year is “Adolescent Pregnancy”. By taking this opportunity, I would like to present to you some global facts and figures on adolescent pregnancy and its consequences:

Adolescent Pregnancy – Key Issues

• About 16 million girls aged 15-19 give birth each year.
• The youngest, first-time pregnant mothers also bear a significantly high risk of maternal death. Complications from pregnancy and child birth continue to be the leading cause of death among adolescent girls aged 15 – 19 in low-and middle-income countries.
• Adolescent girls and young women also face high levels of morbidity and disabilities, including obstetric fistula, and death as a result of unsafe abortion. In 2008, there were an estimated 3 million unsafe abortions in developing countries among girls aged 15-19.
• Stillbirths and death are 50 % more likely, for babies born to mothers below 20 than for babies born to mothers aged 20-29.

Adolescent pregnancy is a development issue. The price of adolescent pregnancy is lost potential: foreshortened education, lack of opportunities, constrained life options and stubborn poverty for the poorest, first-time young mothers and their communities.

It might be interesting to note that in the Asia and Pacific Region, 33 out of every 1,000 births are among adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19.

With regard to the Islamic Republic of Iran, the adolescent pregnancy rate is 8.3%. Let me put this rate in real figures. According to NOCR, out of total 1,38 million number of registered births in 2011, 109,000 were for women aged 15-19 and 1600 for under 15. We should also keep in mind that there are discrepancies between provinces, and in the province of Ardabil for instance, the rate of adolescent pregnancy in 2011 was 13.53%.

What are our responsibilities?

(Mr. Lewis has already elaborated this very well)

In his one statement UNFPA ED, Dr. Babatunde said: “Depending on the opportunities or choices girls have during adolescence, they can begin adulthood as empowered and active citizens, or they can be entrenched in poverty, neglected and voiceless. It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, such divergent paths for girls can exist. We must pave the way for adolescent girls to achieve progress, peace and prosperity in their communities.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to conclude by quoting a few sections of the message of Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Excecutive Director, on today’s occasion:

            “There are over 600 million girls in the world today, more than 500 million of them in developing countries. They are shaping humanity’s present and future. The opportunities and choices girls have during adolescence will enable them to begin adulthood as empowered, active citizens.

With the right skills and opportunities, they can invest in themselves, in their families and their communities.  However, pregnancy jeopardizes the rights, health, education and potential of far too many adolescent girls, robbing them of a better future.

About 16 million girls aged 15-19 give birth each year, and complications from pregnancy and child birth are the leading cause of death among girls in this age group, especially in developing countries.

Adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue, it is 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. To bring these issues to global attention, this year’s World Population Day is focusing on adolescent pregnancy.

Breaking the cycle of adolescent pregnancy requires commitment from nations, communities and individuals in both developed and developing countries to invest in adolescent girls.

Underlying all these efforts is the understanding that the dignity and human rights of adolescent girls must be respected, protected and fulfilled.  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.  Every young girl, regardless of where she lives, or her economic circumstances, has the right to fulfill her human potential. Today, too many girls are denied that right. We can change that, and we must.”

At the end, I once again would like to reiterate to all of you that UNFPA strives to ensure that:

“Every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, andevery young person’s potential is fulfilled.”

Thank you