It is a basic truth that sex and reproduction are central to our lives. It’s also true that young people are sexual beings. However, young people are largely invisible in internationally-agreed development frameworks and as a result, their needs and the realities of their lives are ignored.

The International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action promises young people the sexual and reproductive health information, services and supplies that are now widely available to older adults, but we have yet to deliver. Young people account for a disproportionate burden of sexual and reproductive ill health because we continue to deny their needs:

• pregnancy- and childbirth-related causes are the number one killer of young women globally
• young people between 15 and 24 years account for 45 per cent of all new HIV infections
• 500,000 new curable sexually transmitted infections occur among young people every day

When parents, political and community leaders talk with young people about their needs, desires and concerns, and support them unconditionally by providing education, services and youth-friendly policies, young people are able to make decisions to improve their sexual and reproductive health and enjoy sex and sexuality as positive aspects of life. Empowering young people in this way is critical to achieving their individual development and well-being, and human rights for all.

We need to understand and respect that many young people are thinking about or are already having sex. We must acknowledge their evolving capacity and give them the tools, knowledge and power they need to make decisions and develop their full potential, free of violence and coercion.

Young people have particular needs for information and sexuality education, and for comprehensive youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services. Comprehensive sexuality education builds self-esteem, it helps young people to clarify their values and understand gender roles ― this is critical to their development and helps young people challenge stereotypes. Sexuality education also helps young people to develop decision-making and negotiation skills, and it helps them to develop healthy social and sexual behaviours and relationships. Young people need a safe environment and support from parents, caregivers and teachers, but many lack even this. Health care providers must be trusted to make decisions, and do the work they know and are trained to do, without interference.

Giving young women and men information and the freedom to make their own choices around sex and reproduction enables them not only to become the decision-makers of the future, but to be active citizens today. They need to know how to safeguard their own health and well-being and ensure healthy sustainable families and communities.

Until these issues are addressed, young people will continue to be marginalized, excluded and impoverished. In 2009, the fifteenth anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, it’s time to give priority to our young people: young people are demanding to have their human rights, health, and development needs met and we — the leaders, the policy-makers, the decision-makers — have no right to deny them.

You can act now — 15andcounting is a global campaign to raise awareness about young people’s rights to sexual and reproductive health. You can make your voice count by going to the website – at www.15andcounting.org – and signing the petition. You can also call or write to your government representative and ask them to prioritize sexual and reproductive health services, especially youth-friendly services. Research proves that this can contribute to a brighter, better world.

The opinions expressed in this text are those of the author.