Bangladesh, July 7 -- Approximately 1 billion young people in Asia and the Pacific region are between 10-24 years old, constituting 27% of the total population in the region. Every one of these youngsters will one day have to make life-changing decisions that will affect their sexual and reproductive health. But research shows that the majority of these adolescents lack the knowledge to make those decisions responsibly.

The World Health Organization calls for investing in a life-course approach to health which is essential to ensure that we promote a healthy start to life, meet the health needs of all our citizens throughout their stages of life and accomplish the goal of improved health and well-being for all. In this regard, sexual and...