Today July 11 has been namedWorld Population Day 2013 by the United Nations.

Each year the United Nations focuses on what they consider an important global issue. In 2012 the UN spotlighted the need for universal access to reproductive health services. And, in 2011 the focus was on their 7 billion campaign and reflected on the growth of 2 billion the world experienced between 1987 and 2011.

This year the UN’s focal point is the issue of adolescent pregnancy. The UN is calling on government officials to take action to help young girls make “responsible life choices and realize their potential.”

According to the UN Population Fund roughly 16 million (!) girls under the age of 18 give birth each year and another 3.2 million have what are deemed as unsafe abortions.

I was surprised to learn that 90 percent of this 16 million are married. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are emotionally or financially prepared to raise a child.

What can be done? 

Surely, education is key.

UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin stated that adolescent pregnancy is not just a health issue, but also a development issue.

“It is deeply rooted in poverty, gender inequality, violence, child and forced marriage, power imbalances between adolescent girls and their male partners, lack of education, and the failure of systems and institutions to protect their rights,” he said in his message for the Day.

“Breaking the cycle of adolescent pregnancy requires commitment from nations, communities and individuals in both developed and developing countries to invest in adolescent girls, he said. Governments should enact and enforce national laws that raise the age of marriage to 18 and should promote community-based efforts that support girls’ rights and prevent child marriage and its consequences.”

One question is what does this investment look like? Is it in the form of increased safe sex education programs like Philadelphia/Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Family Planning Council? Or, are we merely scratching the surface here with our attempts to make condoms available and preach about safe-sex?

At GPB we discuss local and national environmental events on a daily basis. While the issue of adolescent pregnancy isn’t directly a “green” issue it is one that affects our earth and resources. It’s humbling to take a day to reflect on the state of not just our local communities and city but the world.

Readers, what do you think about World Population Day 2013 and the focus on adolescent pregnancy? 

Photo credit: Human Rights Watch 

Beth is a Health and Wellness expert who believes sustainability goes hand-in-hand with self care. She’s the girl whipping up kombucha cocktails at parties, and extolling the benefits of canning vegetables to anyone who will listen. View all posts by Beth Funari