NAY PYI TAW, Myanmar — UNFPA and the Ministry of Immigration and Population jointly organised a commemorative ceremony of World Population Day to call actions to protect and empower adolescent girls by the government and civil societies.

A wide range of high officials from government, civil society, the United Nations and the diplomatic community and young people attended the event.

In this occasion, His Excellency, Vice President Dr. Sai Mauk Kham delivered an opening speech and stated “the current population of Myanmar is estimated at about 60 million with 2.9 million adolescent girls aged 15-19. According to 2007 Fertility and Reproductive Health Survey, adolescent birth rate is 16.9 per thousand among those aged 15-19 which is still high in region”. In addition “with the aim to prevent adolescent pregnancy, assistance and support should be provided to reduce marriage before 18, pregnancy before 20 and unintended pregnancy. Interventions are necessary to reduce unsafe abortion among adolescent girls” he said.

His Excellency also pledged Myanmar’s continued commitment to achieve the objectives of International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Plan of Action and Millennium Development Goals. Today, he underlines the need to ensure universal access to information and services on reproductive health, including the prevention of adolescent pregnancy. He concluded by saying that, “the country would sustain the noble aim of promoting the better life for individuals and families, creating a brighter future of the youth and adolescents, and establishing a better, healthier and happier world”.

Ms. Janet E. Jackson, UNFPA Representative for Myanmar also delivered opening remarks and she stated that, “this is a matter of human rights to protection as well as access to services through a core package of comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health and HIV services, including contraception, prevention and treatment of STIs and HIV, maternal health services and post-abortion services. These should be provided to adolescents in a friendly, sensitive, confidential, non-judgmental, and non-discriminatory way, without legal restrictions, and in line with international agreements and national policies”.

Then the Deputy Director of the Department of Health, Dr. Theingi Myint made a presentation on health dimensions and health consequences of the Adolescent Pregnancy and current efforts of the Department of Health.

Finally, the event was concluded and His Excellency and the distinguished guests viewed the mini-exhibition.