In 2014, the world is home to the largest generation of young people in history, presenting many opportunities for the future. However, today's adolescents face many challenges to their rights. Most young people in developing countries live in poverty, and lack access to youth-friendly healthcare services. Worldwide, one in five women has given birth by the age of 18, rising to one in three girls in the poorest parts of the world.
This year's 'world population day' on 11 July focuses on investing in young people. It comes as world leaders enter the final phase of preparation for the new set of international development goals that will be adopted in 2015. The intense negotiations already taking place between government representatives around the world show that human rights, a cornerstone of development, are far from being universally recognised.
In particular, a person's basic right to make their own decisions about whether and how many children to have, and with who to share their lives, is continuously being challenged by ultraconservative political forces in all regions. This despite the fact that over a quarter of a million women and girls still die in pregnancy and childbirth every year and that 222 million women in developing countries do not have access to the modern contraceptives they want.
"The international development goals that come into force from 2015 must truly prioritise sexual and reproductive health and rights"
To tackle this, the international development goals that come into force from 2015 must truly prioritise sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The world has already shown commitment to important aspects of SRHR, with world population day 2014 marking the second anniversary of the London summit on family planning and its goal to enable 120 million more women and girls to use contraceptives by 2020.
The summit helped to launch the so-called family planning 2020 (FP2020) movement, which has won global backing across governments, civil society and the private sector. This is progress. But it is only when sexual rights and reproductive rights are realised and women and girls have control over their futures and bodies that development will be truly sustainable and meaningful.
The EU is a global leader on development cooperation, and a historical champion of SRHR. The new European parliament has a vital role to play in keeping up this momentum and continuing to fight for ambitious global financial and political commitments from 2015. Returning European parliament president Martin Schulz's recent promise to continue to do just that is encouraging. But the large influx of Eurosceptics and far-right MEPs will make it a challenge, as conservative opposition to SRHR grows louder.
"The new European parliament has a vital role to play in keeping up this momentum and continuing to fight for ambitious global financial and political commitments from 2015"
EU development ministers will debate the issue on 14 and 15 July under the aegis of the incoming Italian EU presidency. The direction they take will be key in defining the position the EU will fight for at the UN next year.
As co-chairs of the European parliament working group on reproductive health HIV/AIDS and development (EPWG), we strongly urge parliament, council and the soon-to-be-nominated new development commissioner to work together, and work hard. We must strive for an EU common position that builds on the successes of the millennium development goals, to truly empower all people to make choices about their sexuality and wellbeing. When girls and women are healthy, they are better able to complete their education, engage in productive activities, take good care of their children, and contribute to their communities.
Provision of voluntary family planning services is one of the best investments for improving human capital and setting nations on a path to inclusive growth and sustainable development. 2015 has been chosen as the European year of development. This world population day, we call on EU politicians to make this label a reality.