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...
