Ammon News - AMMAN Under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah, UNICEF Eminent Advocate for Children, UNICEF’s Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa launched Sunday the organization’s flagship publication "The State of the World’s Children" report focusing this year on the theme of "Adolescence: an age of opportunity".

The ceremony, held at the Jordan Museum, was attended by HRH Prince Feisal bin Al Hussein, HRH Princess Sara Al Feisal, and HRH Princess Sumaya bint Al Hassan.

Shahida Azfar, UNICEF MENA Interim Regional Director presented the publication’s main findings. "There are 84 million adolescents in the Middle East and North Africa, representing one fifth of the population," said Azfar.

"Meeting their needs is key to breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequity and to reaping the demographic dividends if timely and sufficient investments are made in the positive development of young people." According to the report the MENA region has made significant progress in improving the rights of children and adolescents. Under-five mortality rates decreased by 47 per cent between 1990 and 2009. Some 83 per cent of children of primary school-age are enrolled in school.

Globally, nearly one third of children of secondary school age are not enrolled in schools. In the Middle East and North Africa, nearly 1 in 10 children aged between 5 and 14 is involved in child labour. And some 90 per cent of children aged 2-14 experience violent disciplinary methods.

The report highlights the need for adolescents to be equipped with the skills and knowledge to deal with the multiple challenges facing them by investing in quality education and learning opportunities, especially for the adolescent girl.

To this end, the report argues, targeted investments in the following key areas are essential: Improving data collection to increase the understanding of adolescents’ situation and meet their rights; Investing in education and training so that adolescents have the means to lift themselves out of poverty and contribute to their national economies; Expanding opportunities for adolescents to participate and voice their opinion, for example in national youth councils, youth forums, community service initiatives, online activism and other avenues which enable adolescents to make their voices heard.

Promoting laws, policies and programmes that protect the rights of adolescents and enable them to overcome barriers to essential services; Stepping up the fight again poverty and inequity through child sensitive programs to prevent adolescents from being prematurely catapulted into adulthood.

The Event also included a presentation on the situation of adolescents in the MENA region by two Jordanian youths. Three one minute videos produced by MENA youth participants and a one minute digital exhibition. (Petra)