Approximately 17 million of these young women between the ages of 15 and 19 give birth each year, accounting for more than 10 per cent of all babies born worldwide. A high proportion of teenage pregnancies are unwanted, and teenagers are over-represented among those obtaining abortions. Yet only 17 per cent of the age group use any form of contraception. One young person in 20 contracts a sexually transmitted disease each year and fully half of the new HIV infections are among young people. Today's youth need information and education in responsible, healthy sexual attitudes and behavior, including the very important option of abstinence.
Sexual violence is a risk to all women and girls.
For refugees and women displaced from their homes by war and civil unrest, the risks of sexual violence are multiplied. Of the 50 million refugees and internally displaced persons in trouble spots around the world, fully three-quarters are women, elderly people or children. The ICPD Programme of Action's objectives include encouraging men to take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive behaviour and attitudes. This will not be easy, because the idea is deep-rooted that only women are responsible for the consequences of behaviour involving both sexes. However, many men still see the empowerment of women as an erosion of their own power.