The resolution for inclusion of adolescents as a specific target group for programmes of Health, Population Welfare, Education (Literacy), Women Development, Youth and Social Welfare departments and corresponding amendments in curriculum and roles of para-medical staff of health and population welfare departments was tabled in provincial assemblies of Punjab, KPK and Balochistan.
Addressing a national consultation workshop organized by Rahnuma Family Planning Association of Pakistan (FPAP), FPAP Advocacy Director Nabila Malik said that adolescents and young people made up more than 60 percent of Pakistan’s population, out of which 27 million were females.
The needs of adolescent girls and young mothers were grossly neglected at policy levels leading to the worst social indicators in South Asia, with low female literacy, a high infant mortality rate, high maternal mortality rate and low Contraceptive Prevalence Rate (CPR), she said.
FPAP Adolescent Women Empowerment Director Amna Akhsheed said that the association, in collaboration with Research and Advocacy Fund (RAF), had taken the initiative to plug policy and practice gaps at national, provincial and district levels to address sexual and reproductive health and maternal and neonatal health through mobilizing policy makers and stakeholders. Participants said that parliamentarians were elected representatives of the society and government departments, being the implementers, had a great responsibility to address key issues and take concrete steps to avoid a population explosion.
They pledged to play their role in advocating and championing the cause of young women.
A national caucus of parliamentarians was formed at the end of the workshop to ensure the consolidation of action on provincial resolutions and inclusion of sexual and reproductive health needs of young women at national and provincial policy levels.
