Despite evidence that more governments are paying greater attention to youth through public policy initiatives, a new global report launched last week by the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA has shown that young people as a whole still confront many obstacles that keep them from safely moving into adulthood and entering the workforce.
“Sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights – which are pivotal to young people’s realisation of their full potential – are blocked because of large gaps in information and services. Adolescents in particular, have less access to contraception, and HIV testing, counselling and care.”
Launched, in Lagos, the Report which describes the current level of youths as impoverished from which many may never emerge laments that while tens of millions do not go to school, or if they do, they miss even minimum benchmarks for learning also showed that over 500 million youths struggle to survive on less than $2 per day.
The Report says adolescents, in particular, have less access to contraception, and HIV testing, counselling and care. Gender norms penalise young women by depriving them of equal opportunities for education, employment and health care, and leaving them more vulnerable to human rights violations. For boys, norms around being “real men” can lead to destructive behaviours.
Social pressures in general can be a strong impediment, such as by encouraging young married couples to get pregnant as soon as possible.
most countries, laws, policies and regulations have yet to align with commitments in international agreements on the rights of young people—or catch up with the realities in their lives. For example, many countries bar unmarried minors from obtaining contraception, “the report revealed.
The report however urged countries to uphold the rights of youth and help them establish foundations for their lives by equipping them with high-quality, relevant education, and comprehensive health care, encompassing all aspects of sexual and reproductive health.
Launching the Report in Lagos, Governor Babatunde Fashola who was represented by the State Commissioner for Physical Planning & Urban Development, Mr Ben Akubueze noted the unprecedented 1.8 billion youth today can be something of positively beneficial if countries can securely explore the potentials.
He said there is need for political office holders to summon the political will that would encourage the development of young people.
Presenting the Report, Chairman, National Population Commission, Chief Eze Duruiheoma noted that no country that aims to achieve sustainable development can afford to ignore the youth.
He said: “Making investments in youth is the right thing to do because investing in youth can enable developing countries to reap a demographic dividend, which can help reduce poverty and raise living standards.”
On National perspective on investing in Nigerian young people, Duruiheoma who pointed out that out of the 178.5 million Nigerians, 55.5 million are Nigerians under the ages of 10 and 24, adding that these Nigerians face challenges that inhibit their development into responsible adults.
“There are many as 10 million children out of school. Access to sexual and reproductive health services is severely limited. ”The national Youth Policy should be implemented more vigorously and resources committed to its implementation,” he stated.
