21
ChapterB
RIGHTS, NEEDS, RESPONSIBILITIESANDTHEDEMANDSOFGIRLS,
BOYS, ADOLESCENTSANDYOUTH
According to current United Nations estimates, Latin America and the Caribbean will have 630 million
inhabitants in 2015, of which nearly 52% will belong to the under-29-years age group, the reference
group for this chapter. Within that age group, children under15 years number 164 million, representing
26.1% of the total,
2
adolescents (10 to 19 years of age) 112 million, or 17.8% of the total, and young
people (15 to29years) 162million, or 25.6% of the total.
3
Just as important as the population weight of this age group is the fact that its members are
recognized as having rights, in various international instruments including a broadly ratified
convention,
4
in the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and
Development,
5
and in national legislation. Governments must guarantee those rights and attend to the
demands of this age group so that this stage of their life will be full and satisfying. At the same time,
social investment in this population segment is indispensable for sustainable development in its three
pillars—social, economic and environmental— for it is at this stage of life that the central milestones
of adulthood begin to define themselves. A healthy adulthood, well-educated, socially integrated and
culturally sensitive to the broad issues of equality and sustainability, will encourage people to develop
their capacities, to exercise their rights, and to contribute to sustainable development.
Specific rights, and recognition of such rights, vary within reference groups. For example,
children, technically persons under 18 years of age, are protected by the Convention on the Rights of the
Child. The notions of maturity and evolving capacities contained in this Convention (articles 12.1 and
14.2, respectively) and the notion of progressive autonomy raised in the Montevideo Consensus on
Population and Development (PM 11) are very important. Furthermore, the three groups referenced by
thismeasure overlap during some periods (childrenwith adolescents and adolescentswith young people),
inevitably creating a degree of ambiguity. In fact, the relevance and implications of some PMs in this
chapter vary for the three reference groups, and this will affect the way the priority measures are
operationalized.
This chapter covers 11 priority measures (7-17). Measure 7, on general aspirations for the best
possible life for children, adolescents and young people, is treated in an abbreviated manner in order to
estimate, essentially, what can be implemented and monitored through other priority measures of the
Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development and other international instruments, forums and
mechanisms. The 10 remaining priority measures are spelled out in full tables, using the standard
descriptors and criteria agreed. Five priority measures (11-15) deal directly with sexuality and
reproduction, with an emphasis on guaranteeing comprehensive sexual education (11), ensuring access to
2
In fact, the international definition included in theConventionon theRights of theChilddefines children as persons
under 18years of age, but there arenoprojections by simple age available for constituting thegroups 0-18.
3
For further details, see
.
4
Convention on the Rights of the Child. Adopted by the General Assembly in resolution 44/25, of 20November
1989. Entry into effect: 2September 1990.
5
In particular, chapter VI. “Population growth and structure”, section B “Children and youth” and, in relation to
reproductive rights andhealth, chapterVII, “Reproductive rights and reproductivehealth”, sectionE “Adolescents”.
