A cross-party group of New Zealand MPs is targeting the region's top decision-makers with a plan to combat dire sexual health among the Pacific's young people.
The NZ Parliamentarians' Group on Population and Development wants to help with better education and services for the region's exploding youth population and recommends law reform and country-specific programmes for advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights.
The chairperson Dr Jackie Blue says the plan is based on talks with experts in the field who say the region's adolescents face significance barriers.
"We feel strongly it's a human rights issue and that young girls and young boys have that absolute right to have access to quality, comprehensive sexual education services and information"
Dr Blue says the plan also recommends including young people in decision-making.
