YOUTHS are the most vulnerable group to social issues like teenage pregnancy, suicide, and mental illness says the Director of the Ministry of Women, Youths and Children Affairs Edward Anisitolo.
He was speaking during the official opening of the Adventist Youth Alive Congress week-long celebration at the Maranatha Hall near Burns Creek, Sunday.
He said that our people (youths) are vulnerable with different needs and changing needs.
“Youths face a wide range of social issues such as teenage pregnancy, suicide and Mental illness,” he said.
Mr Anisitolo said according to the United Nation Population Fund (UNFPA) adolescent girls account for 10 percent of all the birth, every year quarter of all unsafe abortion, approximately 5 million are performed on girls age 15-19 years, girls age 15-19 years are 5 times more to have HIV than boys.
The report stated that between 40 per cent and 58 per cent of sexual assaults are committed against girls 15 and younger.
“Population under 15 years in the pacific Islands: Solomon Islands rank 3rd with 39 per cent while Vanuatu rank 7th with 37 per cent.
“Youth population of age 15-24 years to total population: Solomon Islands rank 8th with 19 per cent and Vanuatu rank 3rd with 20 per cent.
“For total fertility rate; SI rank 8th with 4.1 per cent while Vanuatu 7th with 4.1 per cent.
“Adolescent fertility rate: SI rank 3rd with 66 per cent and Vanuatu 5th with 62 per cent.
“Teenage fertility rate: SI 70 per cent and Vanuatu 65 per cent in year per 1,000 women,” the report revealed.
These are the issues that youths are facing and are affecting them, he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Anisitolo said providing more educational activities to raise awareness among youths and communities of the issues affecting them is what all youth stakeholders should consider.
By STEPHEN DIISANGO
