Over 6,500 Adolescent Girls Die Giving Birth Every Year Across South Asia

Kathmandu: Every year, nearly 6,500 adolescent girls in South Asia die giving birth, with most of them being minors who have limited control over their reproductive health or lives. 

This alarming statistic comes from a joint analysis by UNICEF, WHO, and UNFPA, highlighting the dire situation faced by young girls in the region.

South Asia accounts for 290 million child brides, representing nearly half of the world’s burden. 

These child brides face numerous challenges, including being four times more likely to be out of school compared to their unmarried peers in three countries within the region. 

The analysis underscores the critical need for addressing the root causes of adolescent pregnancies and providing necessary support to these young girls.

At the two-day Regional Dialogue on Adolescent Pregnancy in South Asia, which concluded recently, representatives from SAARC countries, UNICEF South Asia, UNFPA, and WHO called for increased commitment to critical services for over 2.2 million adolescent girls who give birth annually in South Asia. 

A joint press release from these agencies emphasized the importance of supporting these young mothers and preventing early pregnancies.

Ambassador Golam Sarwar, the Secretary General of SAARC, acknowledged the efforts made by governments, UN agencies, NGOs, and civil society in reducing teenage pregnancy in the region. 

However, he stressed that much more needs to be done. He called for a resolute address of the root causes, including child marriage, lack of access to adolescent health education, and the social stigma surrounding teenage pregnancies.

The analysis by UNICEF, WHO, and UNFPA reveals that the young age of these mothers significantly increases their risk during childbirth. 

Many of these adolescent girls are not physically ready to give birth, which puts their lives in grave danger. 

Beyond the health risks, these young mothers often face numerous social challenges, including being forced to drop out of school, facing stigma, rejection, violence, and unemployment. 

The press release also noted that 49% of young girls in South Asia are not in education, employment, or training, the highest rate in the world.

Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, emphasized the need for better support for adolescent girls, particularly those who are married, pregnant, or parents. 

He highlighted the barriers these girls face in accessing education, healthcare, and nutritious food, and the necessity of providing opportunities for them to build skills and start businesses. 

Wijesekera stressed that investing in these opportunities would be transformative for the region, unleashing the potential of more than 170 million adolescent girls in South Asia.

Government and UN officials, adolescent girls, and civil society representatives from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka participated in the dialogue. 

They reaffirmed their commitment to providing better services to support pregnant adolescent girls and young mothers, including opportunities for education, entrepreneurship, and earning a livelihood.

The event held in Kathmandu over July 11-12 was jointly organized by SAARC, WHO, UNICEF, and UNFPA and was inaugurated by Ambassador Golam Sarwar. 

The dialogue focused on creating effective strategies to tackle adolescent pregnancy through cross-sectoral collaboration and equitable access to a variety of services.

Saima Wazed, Regional Director of WHO South-East Asia, emphasized the urgent need to reverse the trend of adolescent pregnancies. 

She highlighted the unique physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and sexual development during adolescence, which necessitates special attention in national and international policies. 

Wazed called for effective strategies that require collaboration across various sectors to provide comprehensive support to adolescent girls.

The high maternal mortality rate among adolescent mothers compared to women in their 20s and 30s underscores the urgent need for action. 

By addressing the root causes of adolescent pregnancy and ensuring equitable access to essential services, South Asia can make significant strides in protecting and empowering its young girls.