Binyam Tamene
9 October 2007
Addis Ababa — Despite their unique needs that require special attention , children from 10-14 year-olds are typically not reached by most conventional child health, marital health and women empowerment programs, ENGENDERHEALTH Ethiopia, an international NGO working on children in Ethiopia said.
The INGO made the remark on Tuesday at a Consultative Meeting on Appropriate and Targeted Policies and Programmes on Tuesday Calling for more targeted policies and programmes, the NGO urged policy makers to re-think and redesign policies and programme to improve the health and the well-being of young adolescents based on their particular needs.
"Its critical for policies and programmes to recognize their needs and vulnerabilities of those aged 10 to 14 although they have typically been neglected by policy makers and researchers," Dr. Michael Dejene, a senior ENDENGERHEALTH consultant said in his report presented at the meeting.
"Young people make up a large and significant demographic group in Ethiopia. But they are vulnerable to socio-cultural problems," Michael added.
Dr Michael recommended initiating positive intervention strategies at younger ages to create new opportunities for prevention of unwanted and potentially harmful health and social PROBLEMS.
The report is entitled: 'Review of the Social Context and Particular Vulnerabilities Affecting the Lives of 10-14 years olds.' Dr Michael said this early adolescence group experience rapid physical, emotional, social and intellectual changes which, unfortunately the society is not well aware about.
He said, the society, not knowing much about the situation, tend to assign to this Semi- youth population a new role, which has negative consequences to the lives of this vulnerable section of the society.
"Often, it is a time of emerging from quick transition toward new roles and responsibilities as workers, spouse and parents" Dr Michael observed.
"This exposes them to premature school leaving, heavy domestic responsibilities, migration, social isolation, early marriage and other socio-cultural problems," he said.
Referring to a recent studied Michael said the prevalence of HIV among male youth is between 6 and 9%, and for women 10% to 13%." Dr Michael underscored the need for a timely and adequate intervention in the area.
A representative from the Ministry of Health, said despite government effort in formulating designing strategies particularly the National adolescence and Youth Reproductive Health Strategy, there was still much to be done in the area of intervention.
Even if it is worth to mention the endless efforts made by government and other organizations in designing strategy and formulating the law, there was not so much a result as regards to addressing the issue as needed, implement the strategy and infact it in to law, he said Out of the 77 million estimated Ethiopian population, 60% are under the age of 24 years and 15% are between the ages 10 and 14 years, according to ENDENGERHEALTH.
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