Being a woman in the United States looking at the legislation and political climate regarding women’s bodies, it’s fairly easy to lose faith. It would be an understatement to say that the government’s relationship with women is not pretty.
It’s refreshing, then, to see people in positions of power who actually think of women as more than baby incubators. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon stated last week to the Commission of Population and Development that believes that’s it is the U.N.’s “collective responsibility” to drive down the high adolescent pregnancy rates in girls and HIV contraction rates among youth.
“They [young people] especially need reproductive health care,” he declared. “We cannot ignore the facts. Many young people are sexually active. And because of this, they may face risks to their health, including sexual violence. They need the information and means to protect themselves.”
The U.N. Chief has a history of supporting universal access to birth control and sex education. He also pushed for more U.N. action on behalf of young people, asking, “Why isn’t the United Nations doing more to help people who are suffering?” He also advocated improved education, food accessibility, and employment worldwide.
(Image via UN.org)
