22/09/2014
In Africa, girls under the age of 15 years are two times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth than older women. Infants born to mothers under the age of 18 years are 60 per cent more likely to die than infants born to older women. And access to maternal health services, especially skilled birth attendants, is lowest for adolescent girls under 20 years.
Healthy, educated girls are more likely to escape poverty, benefitting their families and communities.
The Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) is organizing a high-level event on maternal and newborn health beyond 2014, with a particular focus on adolescent girls. Read bit.ly/1r12eMG.
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H.E. Mrs Hinda Deby Itno, is the First Lady of the Republic of Chad and President of the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS and Dr. Julitta Onabanjo is UNFPA’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa. As the United Nations prepares to hold a Special Session of the General A…