There are 1.2 billion people between the ages of 10 and 19 in the world today—the largest generation of adolescents ever. These young people face great challenges to their health and well-being. Almost a third of all people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide are between the ages of 15 and 24, and of the 20 million women who undergo unsafe abortions every year, over a quarter are girls between the ages of 15 and 19. Across every region of the globe, these harsh realities have focused advocates' attention on young people's health needs and human rights, and have motivated young people themselves to take action.

 

 

Around the globe, young people are mobilizing, making their voices heard, and changing the world. Through our annual Young Visionaries contest, launched in 2010, we aim to celebrate, acknowledge, and support the exceptional and ongoing work of young people.

 

IWHC is supporting a number of organizations and networks focused on addressing young people's health needs and human rights, many of them founded and managed by young people themselves. For example:

• In Peru, we are supporting the Institute of Education and Health (IES) to help adolescent boys and girls design their own community initiatives around sexuality, health, and rights. Read more about IES and our partners in Latin America>>
• In Nigeria, we are supporting Girls' Power Initiative (GPI) to empower a new generation of feminist leaders in a society where girls are encouraged to be seen and not heard. Read more about GPI and our partners in Africa>>
• In Pakistan, we are supporting Aahung to provide boys and girls with vital information about their bodies, their rights, and their responsibilities through their Life Skills Education Program. Read more Aahung and our partners in Asia>>
• Globally, we are creating opportunities for young people to network with each other and become stronger advocates. In 2007, we launched IWHC's Advocacy in Practice, a series of trainings bringing together young people (ages 18-24) with diverse backgrounds and a desire to discuss and elevate their voices on sexual and reproductive rights and health (SRRH).