In this piece, published in the Comment section of the Lancet.com, UNFPA's Executive Director argues for greater investment in the health and education of young people, who now number some 1.8 billion, and comprise a powerful force for development.

<p>"When societies embrace youth as partners, we improve our chances of finding solutions to our most pressing problems", says UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, in his message on the International Youth Day.</p>

<p>In this Huffington Post column, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Osotimehin Babatunde called upon fellow men to man up!  "Being a real man means saying no to gender-based violence and discrimination, and respecting the rights of girls and women," he said.</p>

<p> </p> <p>Ms. Purnima Mane, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director (Programme), spoke at UN High Level Meeting on Youth dialogue between young leaders and policy decision makers. In her keynote statement she highlighted that "the ability of young people to manage their risks and vulnerability to HIV is not solely a function of individual behavior. It is also dependent on social, political and economic inclusion."</p>

Under the theme, “Women Creating a Safe World,” participants from more than 100 countries gathered in Zurich for the International Women’s Summit organized by the World YWCA.  Delivering a keynote address, Dr. Osotimehin spoke about the importance of young women’s leadership in sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights.

<p>This year, on October 31st, world population reaches 7 billion. This milestone represents a challenge, an opportunity and a call to action.</p>

<p>At a conference, hosted by the Government of Gabon and UN Women. for the first International Widow’s Day, UNFPA Deputy Executive Director Purnima Mane called upon governments, UN Agencies and civil society to uphold their obligation of protecting the human rights of widows.</p>

<p>In his speech delivered in Addis, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin talked about UNFPA’s Global Programme to enhance Reproductive Health Commodity Security.</p>

<p>The Stories of Midwives that UNFPA and White Ribbon Alliance have gathered give us a snapshot of the critical work that midwives do all over the world.</p>

<p>As midwives, you bring care to mothers and families. You are central to a strong health workforce and health system.</p>

<p>Today we are launching the <i>State of the World’s Midwifery 2011</i>, the first report of its kind since 1976. The report is based on surveys in 58 developing countries which together account for 91 per cent of the world’s maternal deaths.<br/>  </p>

<p>"We need to fully engage young people in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV prevention programmes," stated UNFPA Executive Director Babatunde Osotimehin at high-level meeting on AIDS side-event on young people's role in HIV response.</p>