I do not exaggerate when I say that the potential of today s youth is in jeopardy. This conference should put governments and civil society, including all the NGOs, on notice that the issue of adolescent reproductive health and rights is critically urgent, and that immediate action is required and high priority should be given to this problem. More than half of the population in the Caribbean region is under 25, and 20 per cent are between the ages of 15 and 24. Abortion is largely illegal and unsafe, with the exceptions of Barbados and Guyana. And even in these countries post-abortion counselling for contraceptive services are generally not available to young people.
Sexual activity begins at an early age.
Sexual and physical violence against women, as well as sexual abuse of young men and children, are on the increase. Surveys indicate that some 21 percent of boys and 18 percent of girls may have been sexually abused before the age of 16, and 1 percent of men and 6 percent of women are sexually abused as adults and, as you know, sexual abuse is not very well documented. Some 50 percent of young people are out of school by age 15 or 16. Some demonstrate low levels of literacy for their age, and most, especially the males, never get into any form of skills training or other structured socialization system. Youth in the 15-24 age group show an unemployment rate of 47 percent in the region.