Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Fourth Ordinary Session of the Conference of the African Union Ministers in Charge of Youth Addis Ababa, Ethiopia September 2012, AUC Headquarters A Presentation On Adolescence – The Gateway To Adulthood Presentation by Mrs. Akila Aggoune Belembaogo, UNICEF Representative to the AU and UNECA

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Introduction Adolescence is the gateway to adulthood. As they physically and psychologically mature, they form their values, core beliefs, sense of identity and understanding of their place, in the family, the nation and in the world. Adolescence is a formative period during which children grow into their rightful place as full member of the family, citizens and agents of change in their own lives and the lives of their societies. Adolescence is also a time when children’s and young people’s relationships with the family, communities and people that surround them can change dramatically. They leave behind childhood and take on new roles: as heads of household, earners and citizens – and as adult rights holders and duty bearers in communities. 2

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Introduction (Cont…) Sub-Saharan Africa is most challenging place for an adolescent to live, with only about half of the children in this part of Africa having completed primary school, and less than one third are enrolled in secondary school. It is a stage of life in which we must invest more attention, resources and effort, or suffer tomorrow the social and economic consequences of a generation less equipped to become fully contributing to the development of their society and of Africa as a whole continent. 3

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Adolescent Challenges in Africa (conclusions of studies) Married adolescent girls: Nearly one in four adolescent girls aged 15−19 globally is married or in union. They are at risk of school dropout, early childbearing, domestic violence and HIV. In Africa, early marriage leads to early childbirth – the leading killer of adolescent girls. Adolescent victims of violence: Data shows many adolescent girls aged 15−19 have experienced sexual violence, and many adolescent boys and girls aged 13−15 were physically attacked, involved in physical fights or bullied. Adolescents victims of child labour and child trafficking, sexual exploitation, pornography and prostitution particularly in the touristic environment. Younger adolescents out-of-school: Millions of children of lower secondary school age are out of school, millions of youth aged 15–24 are illiterate. Adolescents are prevented from acquiring skills and knowledge that enable them to make better decisions in their lives. 4

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Adolescent Challenges in Africa (Cont…) Adolescents with HIV: Millions of adolescents living with HIV do not even know they are infected, reflecting a lack of knowledge, low use of HIV testing and other services, and the stigma associated with AIDS. Adolescents without access to information: Millions of adolescents, particularly girls, still do not have access to ICT, which further marginalizes them. Today ICT is a strong influence in their lives and a tool to empower them in their civic participation, through social media, etc. Adolescents without access to social services: Poverty, gender, disability, stigma and discriminatory laws may curtail adolescents’ access to social services, including HIV prevention and treatment, education, assistance in humanitarian emergencies, and maternal health and reproductive care for adolescent girls. 5

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Investing In Adolescents Adolescence is a critical point at which investment can break the cycle of poverty and result in social, economic and political benefits. Investing in adolescents is tied to employment, maternal mortality, quality education, poverty, etc. Quality basic education - primary and secondary education and vocational training - is crucial for young people as future wage-earners and parents. Address harmful socio-cultural practices affecting healthy development of adolescents, e.g. child marriage, violence, sexual behaviours, etc. Adolescents’ ability to voice their concerns and participate helps them protect themselves as they emerge into adulthood. Adults should prepare adolescents as they take on adult responsibilities. 6

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Recommendations Adopt a life-cycle approach: support to families and positive interventions during early adolescence can avert negative outcomes in late adolescence. Adolescence through an equity lens: Collect disaggregated data from marginalized adolescents, including those out of school; with disabilities, HIV or chronic diseases; those from indigenous, migrant and minority households; those on the streets, etc. Make better use of data: This includes not just data on the risks and deficits facing adolescents, but also data on their positive qualities and contributions. 7

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Recommendations (Cont…) Approach adolescents inter-sectorally: Adolescents programmes need to include all sectors – education, health, nutrition, maternal health, protection and HIV and AIDS, and supported through community partnership and sectoral actions. Develop services to address specific needs of adolescents: Services must be adolescent-friendly, attentive to their concerns, confidential and accessible. Recognize adolescents’ potential as agents of change/development: Programmes and policies must acknowledge capacity of adolescent roles as spouses, workers, parents and members of their communities. 8

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood The Way Forward Disseminate widely the AU decisions, declarations and resolutions as well as the guidelines on accelerated implementation. Ensure governments use the AU Ten Year Plan of Action on Youth as a reference when planning programmes of cooperation with UNICEF. Ensure integrated programms for adolescents in country programming of cooperation. Work closely with AUC and UNECA and RECs to ensure better targeting of adolescents needs in the consultative process on post 2015 development agenda. 9

Adolescence, The Gateway To Adulthood Thank You Merci Choukran Amesegenalehu 10