Alliance Droits et Santé and Equilibres & Populations are launching the campaign "Generation PF: Together, let's choose the future!" Its goal: to create an environment that is more conducive to young people's access to information and contraceptive products in West Africa. On the ground, many citizens are making a difference. It is now up to decision-makers to commit to five key proposals.
Sixteen million girls between the ages of 15 and 19 give birth each year. Ninety-five percent of these births take place in low- and middle-income countries. With nearly 200 births per 1,000 adolescents per year, West Africa is in a particularly worrying situation. Early pregnancies have serious consequences for the health of mothers and children and often jeopardize the future of adolescents. This situation can be changed by facilitating young people's access to information and contraceptive products. However, their needs are not sufficiently taken into account today. Action in this area is a key lever for development.
Journalists, doctors, students, presenters, actresses, teachers, rappers, anthropologists, magistrates, imams, abbots... there are many people who are leading the way and working hard every day to advance family planning and reproductive health for young people. It's time to give them a voice.
The testimonials and commitments of these change agents will be shared on the websitegenerationpf.equipop.org, on social media, and at mobilizing events organized in Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Senegal.
Now it's up to governments to follow suit! We call on decision-makers to:
- to take into account the specific needs of young people and adolescents in family planning policies and programs,
- improve the quality of FP services for young people and facilitate their provision free of charge,
- to implement comprehensive sexuality education for young people,
- to promote the abandonment of early marriages,
- to ensure the systematic participation of young people in policies and programs that affect them.
More than a week ago, Benin, Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and Senegal participated in the Francophonie Summit in Madagascar. All signed the 13 resolutions, including those on child marriage, early marriage, and forced marriage. The states committed, among other things, to eliminating child marriage, early marriage, and forced marriage, and to promoting the constructive participation and active consultation of young people in all matters that affect them. This is another step forward by these states in favor of young people's rights, but these commitments must be translated into concrete actions. The PF Generation campaign will make sure of it!
Press contact:
Nathalie Perrotin – Equilibres & Populations –nathalie.perrotin@equipop.org– +33 (0)1 85 08 05 19
Notes to editors:
– The Rights and Health Alliance network aims to improve the status and health of women and girls in West Africa. The Alliance brings together 16 specialist associations in the field, as well as youth and women's movements. Their expertise covers reproductive rights and health, family planning, and gender issues.
– Equilibres & Populations is an association created in 1993 by doctors and journalists, which works to improve the living conditions and status of women, an essential factor for fair and sustainable development in sub-Saharan Africa.
