Date: 07/07/2003
Source: Ministry for Social Development
Title: Skweyiya: Press conference on World Population Day
STATEMENT BY DR ZOLA SKWEYIYA, MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, ON WORLD POPULATION DAY, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, Rosebank Hotel, Johannesburg, 7 July 2003
We are here today to reflect on a very critical global population and development challenge as well as achievements facing youth.
This year UNFPA and the Department of Social Development as well as provinces have joined forces to reflect on these matters particularly those facing the South African youth.
This year the international focus of World Population Day on 11 July will be on the one billion young people across the world who are faced with initiation into and exposure to sexual activity, teenage pregnancies, illiteracy, poverty and HIV/AIDS.
The youth of our country are one of the most important sectors for the social, economic and political development of our country. South Africa is free today by and large due to the major contributions of the youth in the various epochs: be it during the era of Nelson Mandela, the late Chris Hani and indeed the youth of 1976 (of the Soweto uprisings). They have continuously contributed to the democratisation of our country and the freedoms which we now enjoy.
Currently 40% of South Africa's population (about 17-million) are young people between 14 and 35 years old.
As they enter their reproductive years, they are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, as well as becoming fathers and mothers. Many more are forced to leave school because of early pregnancies. Many still face the challenge of finishing school and the uncertainty of jobs due to the high levels of unemployment.
This is indeed a huge challenge that needs to be tackled with vigour by all sectors of our society if we are to secure our future.
Ladies and gentlemen, World Population Day 2003 takes place against the backdrop of the eve of the 10th anniversary of democracy in South Africa, the 5th year of implementation of the population policy and the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) programme of action.
The international theme for the day, which is "One billion adolescents together building a social contact for sustainable youth development, embraces these milestones ". This theme embodies the government's focus on youth development, which is to be in partnership with youth and other stakeholders, specifically the business community, labour, faith-based organisations and non-governmental organisations.
The Government will be rolling out a countrywide programme of action in the month of July to give the youth an opportunity to talk about their aspirations, their fears and how to overcome them.
The national and provincial activities will include Imbizo with the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, and provincial MECs for Social Development.
During these the country will reflect on commitments made to date as well as to challenges with regard to building a better life for all especially the youth.
Youth vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
In 1999 16,5% of girls under the age of 20 tested positive for HIV/AIDS in antenatal surveys.
By 2001 the percentage had decreased to 15.4%. This is indeed a significant achievement indicative of the fact that we are turning the tide against HIV/AIDS.
While we have turned the tide against HIV/AIDS infection among young people entering adolescent years, the battle remains far from being won. More work still needs to be done.
Furthermore, many young people orphaned due to HIV/AIDS are faced with the grim reality of growing up in child-headed households. Our entire society is challenged to ensure that it gives care and necessary support to such vulnerable children and youth.
TEENAGE PREGNANCIES
Another major challenge facing the youth is teenage pregnancy. About 1 in 3 of South African women will already have been pregnant before they reach the age of 20. This is an unacceptably high figure as it diverts young girls of chances of a quality and proper education. Families and communities and not least organs of civil society together with Government have to tackle this matter with a sense of urgency and purposeful action.
THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS OF THE YOUTH
Our Constitution provides for adolescents to have the same rights as adults to reproductive health services. Since 1994 the ANC led government has ensured that youth friendly clinical services are being provided in most provinces.
However young women still experience difficulties in practicing safe sex with their partners and to say NO to sex. A woman's right to say NO is often infringed by men.
I therefore call on all sectors of society to join hands in educating men to respect and promote the rights of women particularly with regards to reproductive health and rights.
EDUCATION AND YOUTH LIFE SKILLS
The Government introduced free basic education for all in 1994.
Since then the literacy level of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 has increased to 96%. This is among the highest in the world. In South Africa more girls than boys are enrolled in secondary and tertiary education, which is one of the significant achievements and huge successes in achieving gender equality.
THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE GIRL CHILD
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights fully protect the girl's rights and promote gender equity. However, young women remain vulnerable and we still hear of too many reports of forced sexual activity and sexual abuse at an early age. Gender-based violence is still very high and we need to work together as a society to reverse that situation.
YOUTH AND POVERTY
Many young South Africans grow up in poverty both in cities and rural areas. In spite of high educational levels unemployment continues to affect mostly the youth of our country. In this regard the World Population Day should serve as a clarion call to all spheres of government and the private sector to work hand in hand to accelerate job creation for the youth within the context of the Growth and Development Summit in our country.
HIGHLIGHTS OF WORLD POPULATION DAY
The profile of World Population Day will be raised this year through extensive media coverage and Imbizo with young people in the provinces.
For more information contact: Mbulelo Musi, Tel: 27-12-312-7654, Cell: 082-904-3395
E-mail: Mbulelo.Musi@socdev.gov.za
Issued by Ministry for Social Development, 7 July 2003
Source: Ministry for Social Development
Title: Skweyiya: Press conference on World Population Day
STATEMENT BY DR ZOLA SKWEYIYA, MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT, ON WORLD POPULATION DAY, AT A PRESS CONFERENCE, Rosebank Hotel, Johannesburg, 7 July 2003
We are here today to reflect on a very critical global population and development challenge as well as achievements facing youth.
This year UNFPA and the Department of Social Development as well as provinces have joined forces to reflect on these matters particularly those facing the South African youth.
This year the international focus of World Population Day on 11 July will be on the one billion young people across the world who are faced with initiation into and exposure to sexual activity, teenage pregnancies, illiteracy, poverty and HIV/AIDS.
The youth of our country are one of the most important sectors for the social, economic and political development of our country. South Africa is free today by and large due to the major contributions of the youth in the various epochs: be it during the era of Nelson Mandela, the late Chris Hani and indeed the youth of 1976 (of the Soweto uprisings). They have continuously contributed to the democratisation of our country and the freedoms which we now enjoy.
Currently 40% of South Africa's population (about 17-million) are young people between 14 and 35 years old.
As they enter their reproductive years, they are vulnerable to HIV/AIDS, as well as becoming fathers and mothers. Many more are forced to leave school because of early pregnancies. Many still face the challenge of finishing school and the uncertainty of jobs due to the high levels of unemployment.
This is indeed a huge challenge that needs to be tackled with vigour by all sectors of our society if we are to secure our future.
Ladies and gentlemen, World Population Day 2003 takes place against the backdrop of the eve of the 10th anniversary of democracy in South Africa, the 5th year of implementation of the population policy and the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) programme of action.
The international theme for the day, which is "One billion adolescents together building a social contact for sustainable youth development, embraces these milestones ". This theme embodies the government's focus on youth development, which is to be in partnership with youth and other stakeholders, specifically the business community, labour, faith-based organisations and non-governmental organisations.
The Government will be rolling out a countrywide programme of action in the month of July to give the youth an opportunity to talk about their aspirations, their fears and how to overcome them.
The national and provincial activities will include Imbizo with the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya, and provincial MECs for Social Development.
During these the country will reflect on commitments made to date as well as to challenges with regard to building a better life for all especially the youth.
Youth vulnerability to HIV/AIDS
In 1999 16,5% of girls under the age of 20 tested positive for HIV/AIDS in antenatal surveys.
By 2001 the percentage had decreased to 15.4%. This is indeed a significant achievement indicative of the fact that we are turning the tide against HIV/AIDS.
While we have turned the tide against HIV/AIDS infection among young people entering adolescent years, the battle remains far from being won. More work still needs to be done.
Furthermore, many young people orphaned due to HIV/AIDS are faced with the grim reality of growing up in child-headed households. Our entire society is challenged to ensure that it gives care and necessary support to such vulnerable children and youth.
TEENAGE PREGNANCIES
Another major challenge facing the youth is teenage pregnancy. About 1 in 3 of South African women will already have been pregnant before they reach the age of 20. This is an unacceptably high figure as it diverts young girls of chances of a quality and proper education. Families and communities and not least organs of civil society together with Government have to tackle this matter with a sense of urgency and purposeful action.
THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS OF THE YOUTH
Our Constitution provides for adolescents to have the same rights as adults to reproductive health services. Since 1994 the ANC led government has ensured that youth friendly clinical services are being provided in most provinces.
However young women still experience difficulties in practicing safe sex with their partners and to say NO to sex. A woman's right to say NO is often infringed by men.
I therefore call on all sectors of society to join hands in educating men to respect and promote the rights of women particularly with regards to reproductive health and rights.
EDUCATION AND YOUTH LIFE SKILLS
The Government introduced free basic education for all in 1994.
Since then the literacy level of young people between the ages of 15 and 24 has increased to 96%. This is among the highest in the world. In South Africa more girls than boys are enrolled in secondary and tertiary education, which is one of the significant achievements and huge successes in achieving gender equality.
THE EMPOWERMENT OF THE GIRL CHILD
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights fully protect the girl's rights and promote gender equity. However, young women remain vulnerable and we still hear of too many reports of forced sexual activity and sexual abuse at an early age. Gender-based violence is still very high and we need to work together as a society to reverse that situation.
YOUTH AND POVERTY
Many young South Africans grow up in poverty both in cities and rural areas. In spite of high educational levels unemployment continues to affect mostly the youth of our country. In this regard the World Population Day should serve as a clarion call to all spheres of government and the private sector to work hand in hand to accelerate job creation for the youth within the context of the Growth and Development Summit in our country.
HIGHLIGHTS OF WORLD POPULATION DAY
The profile of World Population Day will be raised this year through extensive media coverage and Imbizo with young people in the provinces.
For more information contact: Mbulelo Musi, Tel: 27-12-312-7654, Cell: 082-904-3395
E-mail: Mbulelo.Musi@socdev.gov.za
Issued by Ministry for Social Development, 7 July 2003
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