'Make adolescents aware of reproductive health risks to prevent AIDS'

The present generation will be vulnerable to AIDS if they are kept out of sexual information because of shyness, the speakers added.

The discussion on 'A billion adolescents: The right to health, information and services' was organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to mark the World Population Day.

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In welcome address, Janet E Jackson, deputy representative of the UNFPA to Bangladesh, said as young people constitute 40 per cent of the total population of Bangladesh, proper attention must be given to them so that they could build up themselves for future leadership.

Terming the young female four times vulnerable than adults to HIV/AIDS, Jackson said we should let them know about pregnancy and adolescence health.

Suneeta Mukherjee, UNFPA representative to Bangladesh, said AIDS spreads its wing when lack of information regarding AIDS/ STD exists in the country.

Parents and teachers have a great role in preventing AIDS and giving right information to the young people, she added.

Speaking as chief guest, Mohammed Fazlur Rahman, state minister for youth and sports, said we must groom up the young people properly so that they can build up the country.

Speaking as special guest, Major General (Retd) Z A Khan, chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, said if we fail to disseminate information regarding reproductive health to the young people, we will fail to control population growth and spread of HIV/ AIDS.

Mohammed Fazlur Rahman, director general of family planning directorate, said institutions have to be developed to provide service and information to the young people.