UNGASS 2014 | High Level Dialogue with African First Ladies (OAFLA) supported by UNFPA
WHAT: High Level Dialogue with African First Ladies on Maternal and Newborn Health Beyond 2014 with a focus on Adolescent Girls
Africa is home to an estimated 251 million adolescents, comprising 22 per cent of the total population on the continent. This proportion is expected to rise significantly if current growth trends continue. As the world’s youngest region, the continent is poised to reap a demographic dividend, but this cannot happen unless strategic investments are made in the health and education of its young people.
The continent also needs to step up actions toward addressing the needs of adolescents, particularly girls. During adolescence, girls are much more vulnerable than boys as once they reach puberty; they are at risk of becoming pregnant, experiencing complications in childbirth, and even death. Social expectations are also considerably inequitable. Together, these risks can dramatically alter a girl's life course.
With the right support and investment to avoid the risks and vulnerabilities of this life stage, the adolescent girl can fulfil her individual potential to become a productive member of her family, society and country.
At this UN General Assembly Special Session (UNGASS) special event, African First Ladies and other guests will draw lessons from two decades of implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action for 2014 and beyond, and develop recommendations for making every adolescent count in Africa.
WHO: Mrs Hinda Déby Itno, First Lady of the Republic of Chad and President of OAFLA; Mr Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Mr Sam Kutesa (tbc), President of the United Nations General Assembly; Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (tbc); Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of UNFPA; African First Ladies
WHERE: United Nations Headquarters, New York, USA – ECOSOC Chambers
WHEN: 22 September, from 10.00am – 12.30pm
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- Nardos Berhanu, OAFLA Communication Officer: nardos@oafla.org, +251 115 508069/+251 118 962998
- Adebayo Fayoyin, UNFPA Regional Communication Adviser, East and Southern Africa: fayoyin@unfpa.org, +27 78 6066715
- Hugues Kone, UNFPA Regional Communication Adviser, West and Central Africa: kone@unfpa.org, +221 33 859 8231
