CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Over 40 education and health ministers are to attend a UN-led meeting to affirm their political commitment to boosting programmes that teach sexuality education and provide easier-to-access sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents and young people in Eastern and Southern Africa.
At the event, from 6-7 December, the ministers are to sign a new political commitment to ensure that all young people aged 10-24 years receive comprehensive sexuality education and have access to sexual and reproductive services. These bold actions are seen as among the most effective ways of reducing high rates of HIV, unintended pregnancy, maternal deaths, and gender-based violence experienced by young people today.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Dr. Julitta Onabanjo, is to make a short statement on behalf of the Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin at the event on Saturday, 7 December.
The ESA Commitment initiative, Young People Today – Time To Act Now, is led by UNAIDS in partnership with UNESCO, UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO, with the support of civil society partners BMZ, Ford Foundation, SIDA, IPPF, Norad, SAC, INERELA+, SADC and the Church of Sweden.
