Government and UN Join Forces for Afghanistan’s Youth on

Government and UN Join Forces for Afghanistan’s Youth on
12.07.2006 Kabul, Afghanistan, 11th July 2006 - The Government of Afghanistan and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) joined forces today to mark ‘World Population Day’. The event is being marked across the world and this year focuses on young people and the challenges they face to play a full and active role in society.

Over half of Afghanistan’s estimated population of 29 million is under the age of 18. Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the world with many young people living in poverty with inadequate healthcare and educational facilities.

Speaking at the event being held at the Ministry for Culture, Information and Youth Affairs, UNFPA Representative in Afghanistan Alain Sibenaler said: “ Today millions of young people are threatened by poverty, illiteracy, risks of child birth and HIV/AIDS. These challenges lie at the heart of the goals set by the United Nations and the Government of Afghanistan to reduce poverty and improve health and well being of young Afghans.”

“We will not meet these challenges unless young people are actively involved, their voices are heard, their needs are met and their human rights are respected. We have already opened youth friendly service centres in Kabul and Herat to provide information, advice and advocacy services to young people but a lot more needs to be done. Today is a step forward in actively engaging with the young people of Afghanistan. They are the light of Afghanistan’s future.”

In his message today, Secretary-General for the United Nations, Kofi Annan said: “The decisions young people make will shape our world and the prospects of future generations. On this World Population Day let us all reaffirm our determination to promote the human rights and well being of young people, and work with them to build a better world for all.”

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that promotes the right of every woman, man and child to enjoy a life of health and equal opportunity. UNFPA supports countries in using population data for policies and programmes to reduce poverty and to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every birth is safe, every young person is free of HIV/AIDS, and every girl and woman is treated with dignity and respect.

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