Although arranged marriages, as well as child marriages, have seemingly completely disappeared from many developed countries, they are still quite prevalent in underdeveloped countries such as India.
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Increase in population and decrease in the resources is creating enormous troubles.
There are stereotypes about what girls should learn and what they should not, Piccin said, adding that often boys went to the technical and vocational schools, while girls only went to learn sewing.
“To invest in your teenage girls is to unlock so much more potential to support national progress and very importantly, no one I left behind: we all play a role in our development, from individuals to national level”.
Furthermore, when considering the diminished need for infrastructure and social spending, reduced pollution and more, investing in contraception for married women around the world would save health systems and governments an estimated 2 billion in annual savings.
On October 9, 2012, a gunman boarded a school bus in northern Pakistan and fired three bullets into 15-year-old Malala Yousafzai’s face. Imagine how much the world would benefit if we included youth in that equation.
When a teenage girl has the power, the means and the information, she is more likely to make good decisions in life and realise her full potential, the United Nations official said. If young people particularly girls have correct and timely information, they can make informed decisions and have autonomy over their bodies. These are women without access to proper healthcare and family planning services and who lack adequate education. The outcome depends on a government’s capacity and willingness to address demographic factors through policies that strengthen human security. It’s bad enough when there are more children than can be properly nourished and cared for in this country; it gets worse when those who are bearing children are not much more than children themselves. The SDGs will enact real, on the ground change, but will only come with continued investments and relentless commitment.
How to do that?
The rising population is also proving an obstacle in solving the problems, however; if it is not controlled the situation will worsen in the future. “Let us take strides to allow our young women to lead and have a voice that’s heard”.
This in turn makes for stronger societies and more vibrant economies. We believe that access, demand, and equity in the health system are critical pillars in improving sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
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Reproductive health for all is among the UN Millennium Development Goals that the Philippines has committed to attain.
