Friday, February 28, 2025
spot_img

Four million adolescent girls give birth every year in India

Date:

Share post:

spot_img
spot_img

Four million adolescent girls in India aged 15-19 years give birth every year in India, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

Every hour, three of seven deaths due to complications from pregnancy, child bearing and unsafe abortions occur among girls and women aged 15-24 years, the UNFPA report said.

“Far too many of the estimated 16 million teenage girls (across the world) who give birth every year never had the opportunity to plan their pregnancy,” said UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon calling for greater attention to adolescent pregnancy on World Population Day.

Experts say complications from pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death among girls in this age group in developing countries.

Adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue, it is a development issue as well.

It is rooted in poverty, gender inequality, child marriage and lack of education. It often means an abrupt end to childhood, curtailed education and lost opportunities, the experts said.

To bring these issues to global attention, the theme for World Population Day this year is adolescent pregnancy.

According to the UNFPA, 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. With the right skills and opportunities during adolescence, girls can invest in themselves, their families and communities, the report said.

Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative of India and Bhutan said: “The greatest returns on investment come from investing in adolescent girls.

Educated and healthy girls have the opportunity to reach their full potential and claim their human rights. They are also more likely to marry later, delay childbearing, have healthier children, and earn higher incomes.”

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

Governments should accelerate efforts to prevent child marriage and its consequences, and promote policies that support girls’ rights, she said.

Adolescents and youth must be provided with age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education to develop the knowledge and skills they need to protect their health throughout their lives.

Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA executive director said: “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.” (IANS)

spot_img
spot_img

Related articles

We value our partnership with India, says EU chief after meeting PM Modi

  New Delhi, Feb 28: Thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for hosting the European Union (EU) College of Commissioners...

EPFO retains interest rate on PF deposits at 8.25 per cent for 2024-25

New Delhi, Feb 28: Retirement fund body EPFO has decided to retain the interest rate on employees' provident...

EU, India free trade pact to be world’s largest deal: Ursula Von Der Layen

New Delhi, Feb 28: India and the European Union have agreed to go ahead with a free trade...

Manipur Guv gives another week to return looted, illegal arms

  Imphal, Feb 28: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday further extended by one week the time given...