Murree, Jul 10 (DNA) -– A teenage youth group led the World Population day advocacy walk here Sundayafternoon from the General Post Office (GPO) through the Mall RoadParticipated by the thousands, the motivational walk was organised by the Development Communications Network (Devcom-Pakistan), Islamabad Devcom Centennial Leo Club (IDCLC), Islamabad Crescent Lions Club (ICLC), Islamabad City Lions Club, and Islamabad Leo Club to mark the World Population Day. Theme of the walk was “investing in teenage girls”. Senior politician ExMNA Hanif Abbasi also joined the walk as a special guest.

Speaking on the occasion, the Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed said, “Our society and government should ensure health, education, nutritious food and basic human rights to the teenage girls than getting them married at the innocent age. The early marriages are creating health complications for the girls besides psychologically disturbing them for their entire life.

Dr Masood Ghani, Civil Surgeon Federal Government Poly Clinic Hospital said the marriages of teenage girls create many health issues that could not be recovered. Therefore, the parents should be vigilant in this regard and should not accept any social pressure.

Muhammad Hussain Turi said, the teenage girls around the world face enormous challenges. Many are considered by their communities or parents to be ready for marriage and motherhood. Many are forced from school, damaging their future prospects. Even among girls who stay in school, access to basic information about their health, human rights and reproductive rights can be hard to come by, leaving them vulnerable to illness, injury and exploitation.=DNA