TheWorld Population Dayon Thursday July 11 was observed by many governments and development partners aroundthe world, to increase awareness on issues that affecttheir populations.
This year’stheme is ‘Adolescents Pregnancy’, which focuses on young people andtheir needs.
Adolescents are young people betweenthe ages of 10 and 19 healthy and growing but that is often a deception to reality.
Many adolescents die prematurely due to accidents, suicide, violence, pregnancy related complications and ther preventable illnesses.
According tothe National ResearchInstitute Papua New Guineahe adolescent’s population was 1.1 million inthe 2000 census.
With a population growth rate of 2.7 %,the estimated adolescents’ population would increase to 1.5 million in 2007; 48 per cent are females.
These young women are vulnerable to early marriage, unwanted relationships, HIV and AIDS.
The Prime Minister Peter O’Neill recently made a commitment to support young people by awarding incentives to those who do not have children before reachingthe age of 25 years old.
This is a government intervention to curb population growth and it also gives an opportunity for the next generation to be responsible.
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