ISTANBUL - Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said on Monday that many young girls could not even dream of a better a life and different interpretations of religious beliefs tried to justify this fact.
UNFPA brought together Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Christian and Muslim leaders at a forum in Istanbul on Monday.
Speaking at the forum, UNFPA`s Executive Director Thoraya Ahmed Obaid said that human rights should focus on everybody, without making any discrimination between men and women or young and old people.
Noting that she was born to a Muslim family from Medina, Obaid said she could become the person she was today thanks to education.
Obaid said not every young girl had the opportunity to get education in today`s world.
Addressing the religious leaders attending the forum, Obaid said all religious beliefs depended on basic principles, one of which was the right to live an honorable life.
Obaid said religious leaders had a certain moral authority among the members of their communities, and therefore, they had the power to provide better living conditions for their people.
Nearly 75 religious leaders and representatives of different religious groups are attending UNFPA`s forum in Istanbul. Issues such as "AIDS", "Reproduction Health", "Social Gender Equality", "Violence Against Women", "Making Motherhood Safer" and "Strengthening Women" will be discussed during the forum.
(DO-CE)
(GEN)