More than 1 billion girls and boys around the world are in their second decade of life. About 85 per cent of these young people live in developing countries. Young people face enormous challenges to learn, form relationships, shape their identities and acquire the social and practical skills they need to become active and productive adults. Adults, parents, decision makers and the world community at large have a moral and legal obligation to ensure the rights of adolescents and help them develop their strengths in a supportive and safe environment.
This joint report from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) reflects the activities of individual agencies around an issue of common concern. It focuses on 12 countries and territories: Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mongolia, Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Russian Federation, Sao Tome and Principe and Senegal.