UNICEF: Investing in teenagers breaks cycles of poverty, inequity

Feb 25, 2011, 9:00 GMT

New York - Given quality education and opportunity, the world's 1.2 billion teenagers could help end the inter-generational scourge of poverty and disease, the UN Children's Fund said in a annual report released Friday.

'Investing in adolescence can accelerate the fight against poverty, socio-economic disparities and gender discrimination,' UNICEF said in its 2011 State of the World Childre, 'Adolescence: An Age of Opportunity.'

Inequity can destroy an adolescent's future, the report noted. Children who are poor and marginalized, and abused domestically, are less likely to make the transition to secondary school and gain higher education.

'Denying adolescents their rights to quality education, health care, protection and participation perpetuates the vicious cycle of poverty and exclusion that robs them of the chance to develop their capacities to the fullest,' the report said.

The UN report, which uses the term adolescence rather than teenage, said young people aged 10 to 18 - the future generation of adults - are part already of the present generation of global citizens contributing to daily life, household work, the community and the economy.

As such, they deserve to be recognized, protected and given care, essential commodities and services, opportunities and support.

Data collected in 2009 showed that East Asia and the Pacific was home to 329 million teenagers, South Asia had 335 million, Latin America and the Caribbean had 108 million, industrialized nations 118 million, the Middle East and North Africa 84 million, and Africa a total of 185 million.

Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, said. 'We need to focus more attention now on reaching adolescents - especially adolescent girls - investing in education, health and other measures to engage them in the process of improving their own lives.'

The report said 88 per cent of the world's 1.2 billion teenagers live in developing countries, many of them facing unique challenges in health risks, from injuries to eating disorders, substance abuses and mental health issues. But teenagers in general are healthier today than in the past.

By providing education and training to young people, countries can reap a large and productive workforce that can significantly contribute to the economy, the report said.

While calling for investment in teenagers, UNICEF said there have not been enough data collected to increase the understanding of their situation in order to meet their rights and needs.

UNICEF also called for giving teenagers the opportunity to voice their opinion through national youth councils, forums, community services and online activities. Governments should also promote policies, laws and programmes to protect teenagers' rights in society.