Adolescence

HALLENGES ANDOver the course of the next five years, the world has an unprecedentedopportunity to improve the lives of young children and adolescents by achievingthe Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with equity. Great strides havebeen made towards the goals in the past decade, particularly for those childrencurrently still in the first decade of life.The global under-five mortality rate, long considered a reliablegauge of child well-being, fell by 22 per cent between2000 and 2009 – double the rate of decline achieved in thepreceding decade. Immunization against major childhooddiseases has risen in all regions. Primary education hasseen a strong boost in enrolment and attendance, which inturn has served to narrow the genderdivide as girls steadily gain greateraccess to basic schooling.With these successes comes a responsibilityto ensure that children who havesurvived the first five years of life andgone on to attend and complete primaryschool are given continued supportin the second decade of life. Asthis report has shown, once childrenhave navigated their way successfullythrough infancy and childhood, a newset of challenges awaits.“I wish governmentswould invest morein our safety andeducation tostrengthen ourvalues andknowledge.”Santiago, 15, VenezuelaLack of educational and employmentopportunities, accidents and injuries, early sex, HIV andAIDS, mental health issues, child labour, adolescent marriageand teenage pregnancy are just some of the risks thatcan prevent adolescents from realizing their capacities asthey transition to adulthood. Global challenges, includingclimate change, economic uncertainty, globalization,demographic shifts and humanitarian crises, present anuncertain backdrop for adolescents during the pivotaldecade of their lives.Support for these young people, most of whom are still childrenunder the Convention on the Rights of the Child, mustnot stop at the end of their first decade of life. A good startin life is necessary but not sufficient to break the bonds ofpoverty and inequity: To make a lasting difference, for bothindividuals and societies, support in early and middle childhoodmust be complemented by investmentin adolescent education, health care, protectionand participation – particularly for thepoorest and most marginalized. Families,communities, national governments, donors,development agencies and all other stakeholdersmust join together with youngpeople as they prepare for their future.Attendance and completion of secondaryschool, access to quality health care, participationin decision-making, and protectionfrom violence, exploitation and abuse arefundamental to empowering adolescents torealize their potential. Evidence shows thatthe realization of these rights increases thelikelihood that adolescents will become economically independent,make informed decisions about sex, participatein community and civic affairs and be better equipped toobtain productive employment that will help end the cycleof poverty. As adults, they will also be better prepared tohandle the global challenges facing their generation.This report has identified five key areas in which partnerscan come together and invest in adolescents. These are62THE STATE OF THE WORLD’S CHILDREN 2011