In recognition of World Population Day on Friday, July 11, United Nations Foundation Founder and ChairmanTed Turner released the following statement.
“Young people have the power to transform their communities and create a better world for us all. But the facts are clear: many of the world’s adolescent girls are not reaching their full potential because of a lack of access to quality reproductive health information, education and services. We must recognize that reproductive health isn’t a privilege; it’s a right.
“Right now, statistics show that some 14 million girls are subject to early or forced marriage each year. Many of these girls become pregnant before their bodies are ready, which is why pregnancy is a leading cause of death among girls aged 15-19. Approximately 70,000 girls are dying every year, according to the ICPD Global Review Report. That’s not a future that we want.
Click here to read the full statement on the Look to the Stars website.
