The Global Forum for Adolescents: A Call for Action
Introduction
The Global Forum for Adolescents, organized by PMNCH, closed with a set of new commitments from governments and stakeholders. The forum aimed to address the needs and priorities of adolescents and young people worldwide. The “Agenda for Action for Adolescents” was launched based on the opinions of 1.2 million young people collected through the What Young People Want initiative.
The Global Adolescent Health Crisis
In 2021, more than 1.5 million adolescents and youth died from preventable causes, with an average of 4,500 deaths every day. Road traffic accidents, interpersonal violence, mental health disorders, and lack of access to sexual health and family planning services are major concerns. Other challenges include substance use, child marriage, nutritional status, and injuries.
The Agenda for Action for Adolescents
The Agenda for Action for Adolescents aims to address these challenges through seven main advocacy asks. These include improving education and skills training, providing adolescent-friendly health services, supporting mental well-being, and preventing stigma and discrimination through comprehensive sexuality education.
Government Commitments
During the Global Forum, 17 governments and two regional bodies announced specific policy and financial commitments to improve adolescent health and well-being. African governments, including Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, and South Africa, made significant commitments. Other governments and regional bodies, such as Canada, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Portugal, Serbia, Sint Maarten, the African Union, and the European Commission, also pledged their support.
The Role of Africa
The Global Forum served as a launching pad for a new health and education strategy developed by the African Union. This strategy recognizes the key role that young people play in shaping the economic and social future of the continent. More than half of the commitments made by African governments focused on vocational training and secondary/third-level education.
Private Sector and Non-State Commitments
In addition to governments, private sector and non-state organizations also made pledges to adolescent well-being. These include Fondation Botnar, Surgo Health, Pivotal Ventures, MTV Entertainment Studios, Ferring International, the Born This Way Foundation, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, the FIA Foundation, The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Goleadoras Foundation, One Earth, and Mariwala Health Initiative.
Conclusion
The Global Forum for Adolescents brought together policymakers and young people to address the challenges faced by adolescents worldwide. The event showcased effective policy and programming solutions and launched advocacy tools and research products. The commitments made by governments and stakeholders emphasize the importance of investing in adolescent health and well-being to secure a better future for all.
Government Commitments to Adolescents Well-Being
| Commitment priorities |
… |
Media Coverage
Regional/Global
Benin
Burkina Faso
Côte d’Ivoire
India
Kenya
Nigeria
Spain
Tanzania
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships | Indicator not mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
- Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including among others through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No, the article does not mention any specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
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Source: pmnch.who.int
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