Crown Princess at UN release on child brides

The University of Copenhagen’s School of Global Health is to host royalty in the form of Crown Princess Mary this Tuesday, where the UN’s State of World Population (SWOP) report 2013 and photo exhibition will be released.

Merete Jensen, one of the organizers at UNFPA, explains to the University Post that “the State of World Population (SWOP) report 2013 will focus on teenage pregnancies – not least pregnancies among the very young teenage girls (14 years old and younger), who bear the brunt of consequences of early marriage and pregnancy”.

HRH Crown Princess Mary is the patron of UNFPA.

Eye witness accounts

Other distinguished guests and speakers include Christian Friis Bach, Minister for Development Cooperation, Denmark, Ralf Hemmingsen, Rector of University of Copenhagen, Dr. Manal Tahtamouni, Director of Institute for Family Health, Jordan, and Pernille Fenger, Chief, UNFPA Nordic.

There will be a panel discussion organized jointly by the University of Copenhagen’s School of Global Health and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) at the Chr. Hansen building, Øster Farimagsgade 5 between 16.00 and 17.30. “The panel discussion following the release of the SWOP report will focus on both teenage pregnancies and child marriages,” says Merete Jensen.

But apart from this, the development minister will talk about the Danish government’s priority of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Dr. Tahtamouni from Jordan will give eye witness accounts of her work with Syrian girls in and outside the world’s second biggest refugee camp, Za’atari in Jordan, and Rector of University of Copenhagen Ralf Hemmingsen will talk about education and universities’ role in “eliminating harmful traditions through enlightenment”, Merete Jensen summarises.

Too young to wed

The discussion will be followed by an opening reception of the photo exhibition ‘Too Young to Wed’ by photographer Stephanie Sinclair and cinematographer Jessica Dimmock. The exhibition will be available for viewing between 5 and 19 November, 2013, also at the Chr. Hansen building, Øster Farimagsgade 5.

All students and faculty are welcome to attend this important event and exhibition. Register here to attend (info@unfpa.dk). More information on the SWOP report can be found by clicking on this link.

universitypost@adm.ku.dk

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