Context: A recent World Health Organization study, published in the Lancet medical journal, found that adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 who have been in relationships have experienced physical or sexual violence. 

• The survey, conducted with thousands of adolescent girls from 154 countries and regions, underscores the global prevalence of violence against young women in intimate relationships.

Key Highlights of the WHO Study on Adolescent Girls

• Prevalence of Violence

• Nearly 24% of adolescent girls who have been in relationships reported experiencing physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the age of 20.

• About 16% of adolescent girls reported such violence within the past year.

• Global Target and Regional Disparities

• No country is currently on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 5 target of eliminating violence against women and girls by 2030.

• The highest rates of intimate partner violence were observed in Oceania (47%) and central sub-Saharan Africa (40%), with countries like Papua New Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo showing particularly high prevalence.

• The lowest prevalence rates were recorded in central Europe (10%) and central Asia (11%).

• Socioeconomic and Legal Factors

• Higher rates of violence are prevalent in lower-income countries, areas with low female education rates, and regions where girls lack strong legal rights regarding property and inheritance.

• Child marriage, which affects 19% of young women globally, significantly raises the risk of intimate partner violence due to factors like power imbalances, economic dependence, and social isolation.

• Implications of Intimate Partner Violence

• Victims are more likely to suffer from injuries, mental health issues like depression and anxiety, unplanned pregnancies, and sexually transmitted infections.

• There are long-term physical and psychological consequences, along with negative impacts on education, future relationships, and overall life prospects.

Steps Needed to Empower Adolescent Girls

• Enhancing Support and Prevention

• Develop and strengthen support services specifically for adolescents and implement early prevention measures.

• Educational Initiatives

• Introduce school-based programs to educate both boys and girls on healthy relationships and violence prevention.

• Legal and Economic Reforms

• Strengthen legal protections and promote economic empowerment initiatives for women and girls.

• Ensure that all girls have access to secondary education and secure gender-equal property and inheritance rights.

• Work towards ending harmful practices such as child marriage.

• Healthcare and Mental Health Services

• Train healthcare providers to identify and address signs of intimate partner violence.

• Offer mental health services and counseling for affected girls.

• Changing Societal Norms

• Work on changing societal attitudes that perpetuate gender inequality and violence.

• Raise community awareness about the signs and consequences of intimate partner violence and the importance of gender equality.

• Data and Policy Development

• Conduct regular surveys and studies to monitor the prevalence of intimate partner violence and the effectiveness of intervention programs.

• Use data to inform policy-making and the development of programs aimed at reducing intimate partner violence.

• International Collaboration and National Action Plans

• Collaborate with international organizations like WHO to share best practices and resources.

• Develop comprehensive national action plans to tackle intimate partner violence, integrating efforts across health, education, and legal sectors.