Phnom Penh, 13 August 2018 – A group of young people will release three short videos today portraying perceptions and concerning issues of Cambodian young people around safe and consensual sex. This is being done to mark the International Youth Day.

This year’s theme celebrated globally under the theme of “Safe spaces for young people”. With the intention to provide such safe spaces for youth, UNFPA Cambodia, the United Nations Population Fund, supports groups of outstanding youth from the UN Youth Advisory Panel to examine the perceptions of their peers on safe and consensual sex. By producing short videos, they present stories and perspectives that underlie the power of youth to drive positive social change.  

UNFPA recognizes that youth have power to shape a better future as they are the champion and catalysts of change. With one fifth of the population aged between 15-24, Cambodia has the potential to reap a demographic dividend and be on a more sustainable path of development if critical investments are made now in this adolescents and youth population.

“Our Youth will someday be our future leaders and are today the hope of a better tomorrow”, emphasizes Mr. Daniel Alemu, UNFPA Deputy Representative at the launch of videos made by young people to mark this special event.

Sadly that many young Cambodian people are vulnerable to social problems, 40% of them still employed informally; 20% of female youths aged 15-30 still face sexual violence from their intimate partner; and one in eight adolescent girls is already a mother or is currently pregnant with their first child.

International Youth Day is an annual celebration of raising awareness of the challenges and hardships facing the world’s youth. It is a critical opportunity to acknowledge the role and contributions of young women and men as essential partners in promoting peace, development and human rights. In 1999, the UN General Assembly declared and observed the first International Youth Day.

“We must include all the young voices that too often go unheard. When we empower, equip and give them space, they can pursue their dreams and hopes”, concludes Mr. Alemu.

The launch of videos held today, Monday 13 August 2018 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Meta House. It is a jointly effort between UNFPA and UN Youth Advisory Panel in Cambodia.

For information, please contact:

Ms. Pen Sophanara

Communications Associate,

UNFPA Cambodia

Tel: 012-602311

Email: sophanara@unfpa.org

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UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is an international development agency that works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

The UN Youth Advisory Panel was established in 2007 as a mean for ongoing debate and dialogue with young people, to understand their development priority perspectives and ensure the voices of Cambodian young people are heard within the UN system