WHO Urges Action to Curb Teen Pregnancies with New Global Guideline

By Bridget Nsimenta | Wednesday, April 23, 2025
WHO Urges Action to Curb Teen Pregnancies with New Global Guideline
Education is critical to change the future for young girls,” said Dr Sheri Bastien, Scientist for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health at WHO, “while empowering adolescents both boys and girls to understand consent, take charge of their health, and challenge the major gender inequalities

The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a comprehensive new guideline aimed at tackling adolescent pregnancy—identified as the leading global cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19.

The guideline emphasises ending child marriage, expanding girls’ education, and improving access to sexual and reproductive health services. With over 21 million adolescent pregnancies occurring annually in low- and middle-income countries half of which are unintended the WHO warns that early pregnancy has severe physical, psychological, and socio-economic impacts.

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“Early pregnancies can have serious physical and psychological consequences for girls and young women,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, WHO Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research. “Tackling this issue therefore means creating conditions where girls and young women can thrive.”

The guideline outlines actionable steps such as prohibiting marriage under the age of 18, offering financial incentives to keep girls in secondary school, and ensuring access to contraception without parental consent barriers.

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World Health Organization WHO Urges Action to Curb Teen Pregnancies with New Global Guideline Health

The WHO also stresses the need to empower young people with knowledge through comprehensive sexuality education.

“Education is critical to change the future for young girls,” said Dr Sheri Bastien, Scientist for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health at WHO, “while empowering adolescents both boys and girls to understand consent, take charge of their health, and challenge the major gender inequalities.”r

The updated guideline builds on the 2011 edition, integrating stronger recommendations around child marriage prevention and contraception access.

It complements WHO’s broader strategies on adolescent health, gender-based violence, and inclusive care.

Dr Allotey emphasised, “Ensuring girls can stay in school, be protected from violence and coercion, access sexual and reproductive health services that uphold their rights, and have real choices about their futures” is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and improving global health outcomes for adolescent girls.

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