At a press conference inHanoi on July 10 in response to the Day, Deputy Health Minister NguyenViet Tien said underage pregnancy will affect the future generations.
He admitted that there are many worrying problemsregarding adolescent and young people’s reproductive health in Vietnam, such as unprotected sex, unwanted pregnancy and unsafe abortion.
According to statistics of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), over onethird of Vietnamese adolescents do not have access to contraceptives,and underage abortions account for an estimated 20 percent of the totalcases. The rate of teenaged mothers was 46 per 1,000 girls in 2011, andthe figure tended to be higher among groups with lower education level,lower living standards, ethnic minority groups, and communities innorthern mid-land and mountainous areas.
ArthurErken, UNFPA Representative in Vietnam said adolescent pregnancy is aworld problem. Often it is a consequence of poverty, discrimination,rights violations including child marriage, sexual coercion andinadequate education.
On this occasion, the fundcalled for a comprehensive education, health and development for girlsin efforts to create a world where every pregnancy is wanted, everychild-birth is safe, and every young person’s potential is tapped.-VNA