Indigenous youth begin to be sexually active, and young women and girls become mothers at earlier ages than their nonindigenous counterparts. Their access to information on reproductive health needs to be increased.
Washington, DC, August 9, 2013 (PAHO/WHO)—In celebration of the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, observed August 9, the Pan American Health Organization/ World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) seeks to promote and guarantee the right to sexual and reproductive health for indigenous adolescents and young adults in a manner that respects their cultures, so that individuals and couples can exercise those rights freely.
"The rights of indigenous peoples across all areas of human endeavor must be respected and protected, and their participation guaranteed in formulating all decisions that affect them," said PAHO Director Carissa F. Etienne. Both in the Americas and globally, the burden of disease, disability, and premature death is consistently higher among indigenous peoples than in the rest of the population.
This year's theme for the International Day of the World´s Indigenous Peoples—who in Latin America number an estimated 30-50 million people from some 670 groups—is "Indigenous peoples building alliances: Honoring treaties, agreements and other constructive arrangements," and highlights the important role of governments, citizens, and aboriginal communities in honoring these mechanisms as well as establishing new forms of coexistence, mutual respect and cooperation to achieve common objectives.
Through the promotion of alliances and treaties in a climate of equality, diversity and universality, PAHO/WHO works to promote the health of indigenous people through improvements in areas including access to safe drinking water, nutrition, maternal and child health, adolescent health, mental health, and family planning education, among others.
In Latin America, an estimated 50% of youths 17 years or under are sexually active. Indigenous youths begin sexual activity at an earlier age than their nonindigenous counterparts, usually within established partner relationships. According to 2010 census data from eight countries, the total fertility rate is higher in indigenous women than nonindigenous women, in some countries, twice as high.
High fertility rates and early motherhood are associated with poverty, lack of education and gender inequalities, according to the report "The health of indigenous youth in Latin America: an overview," prepared in 2011 by PAHO and the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Centre (CELADE) of the U.N. Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).
Additionally, studies show that contraceptive use among indigenous youths ages 15 to 19 who are married or in relationships ranges from 12.4% in Guatemala to 43.2% in Peru. Public policies on these issues must ensure the right to access to modern contraceptives chosen by indigenous women and couples.
PAHO collaborates and promotes action in the Americas to strengthen capacities for intercultural health; foster strong networks among indigenous peoples; increase access to comprehensive and culturally sensitive health services; recognize traditional medicine; work closely with human rights commissions at the United Nations and the Organization of American States and with academia; and generate and utilize disaggregated data that reveal inequalities and inequities among the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Special event at U.N. headquarters
A special event will be held on Friday, August 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. (New York time) at United Nations Headquarters in New York. Participants will include the secretary-general of the U.N., the president of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, a delegate from Panama, a representative from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and an indigenous representative will be all be in attendance. The event can be viewed live at webtv.un.org. PAHO/WHO will also participate in this activity. For more information on the special event at UN headquarters visit this link.
The International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 23 December 1994.
PAHO was founded in 1902 and is the oldest international public health organization in the world. It works with all of the countries in the continent to improve health and quality of life for the people of the region. It acts as the Regional Office for the Americas of the WHO and is also the specialized health agency for the inter-American health system.
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples, 9 August 2013 - Message from PAHO
Links
- Health of the indigenous youth population of Latin America: An overview (In Spanish)
- A vision of intercultural health for the people of the Americas (In Spanish)
- PAHO resolution on health and human rights
- PAHO policy in regards to gender equality and health
- PAHO resolution on the health of the indigenous peoples in the Americas
