The South African Government has signed the United Nations Strategic Cooperation Framework (UNSCF), 2013-2017, which is the overall framework for the work of the United Nations (UN) system in South Africa. The framework is based on four pillars of UN cooperation: inclusive growth and decent work, sustainable development, human capabilities, governance and participation.
Within the ambit of this cooperation, the Department of Social Development and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) are collaborating to commemorate World Population Day on Thursday, 11 July 2013.
World Population Day is an annual event, commemorated on 11 July throughout the world to raise awareness on the importance of population and related development issues. Each year, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) assigns a theme for the day. The theme for this year is “Adolescent pregnancy”.
The theme has been chosen to focus on the following:
- adolescent pregnancy and consequences;
- sexual debut and adolescent contraceptive use; and
- child marriage.
Stats SA Community Survey (2007) reflects that teenage fertility has declined by 10 per cent between 1996 (78 per 1000), 2001 (65 per 1000) and (54 per 1000) in 2007. The South African Youth Context report released in 2011 asserts that 9.5 per cent male and 6 per cent female high school learners reported ever having had an abortion or a partner who had had an abortion. Only 48 per cent of these learners reported using legal health services.
The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Mrs Maria Bongi Ntuli will deliver a keynote address at the commemoration. Also to speak at the event is the Deputy Representative of UNFPA and Prof Oladele Arowolo who will deliver a scientific talk on the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD +20) in the SADC region, with special reference to the demographic dividend and focusing on adolescent sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The event details are as follows:
Date: Thursday, 11 July 2013
Place: The University of the North West, Mahikeng
Time: 10h00 – 13h00
Media is invited to cover the event.
For media RSVPs contact Jaconia Kobue on 082 313 4673.
For media enquiries contact:
Lumka Oliphant
Cell: 083 484 8067
E-mail: LumkaO@dsd.gov.za
