IRELAND: The UN population report highlighted the need for young people to be given sex education, according to the chief executive of the Irish Family Planning Association, Ms Catherine Heaney.
"Young people aged 15 to 25 account for half of the five million new cases of HIV infection each year. Young women aged 15 to 19 account for one quarter of the 20 million cases of unsafe abortions every year. And pregnancy is the leading cause of death for young women."
She warned that it would be unwise to view the challenges set out in the report as only relevant to developing countries.
"Trafficking, abuse and threat of genital mutilation are some of the anecdotal reasons cited by unaccompanied minors as to why they are seeking asylum in Ireland," she said.
The report showed that the Republic fell broadly into line with its EU partners when it came to life expectancy and participation in education. The Irish teenage birth rate, 15- to 19-years-olds, however, was the second highest in the EU.
At the launch Senator Mary Henry called on the Government to use the EU presidency to ensure that the Programme of Action on Population and Development was upheld.