Three out of seven deaths that take place every hour in India due to complications from pregnancy are among girls in the age group of 15-24, the United Nations Population Fund today said, seeking greater attention on the issue of adolescent pregnancy.
"Adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue, it is a development issue. 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," it said.
With UN Population Day's focus this year on adolescent pregnancies, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said complications from pregnancy and child birth are the leading cause of death among girls in this age group in developing countries.
"Far too many of the estimated 16 million teenage girls who give birth every year never had the opportunity to plan their pregnancy," Ban said in his message on World Population Day tomorrow.
The UNFPA said in India, 4 million adolescent girls aged 15-19 give birth every year and they account for 16 per cent of all births and 9 per cent of all maternal deaths.
"Every hour, 3 out of 7 deaths due to complications from pregnancy, child bearing and unsafe abortions are among girls and women aged 15-24," a UNFPA statement said.
To bring these issues to global attention, the World Population Day is focusing on adolescent pregnancy, to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled.
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 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. They can help lift themselves and their present and future families out of poverty. They will be a force for change in their communities and generations to come," said Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative India and Bhutan.
The UNFPA said governments should accelerate efforts to prevent child marriage and its consequences and promote policies that support girls' rights.
"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," said Babatunde Osotimehin, UNFPA Executive Director.
