WHO Issues New Guidelines to Curb Adolescent Pregnancy

WHO released updated guidelines aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancies and related health risks, with a focus on ending child marriage, expanding access to education, and improving sexual and reproductive health services for girls.

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

The guidelines respond to adolescent pregnancy being a leading cause of death among girls aged 15–19 globally. Each year, more than 21 million girls in low and middle-income countries become pregnant, with roughly half of these pregnancies unintended. The health implications include increased risks of infection, preterm birth, and complications from unsafe abortions. These risks are compounded by reduced access to respectful and safe healthcare, and they contribute to cycles of intergenerational poverty by limiting girls’ educational attainment and employment opportunities.

The guideline updates a 2011 version and complements existing WHO guidance on adolescent health services, sexuality education, and prevention of gender-based violence. While global adolescent birth rates have declined over the past two decades, from one in 15 girls giving birth before age 20 to one in 25, regional disparities remain, with some countries reporting rates as high as one in 10 among girls aged 15–19.

According to WHO, the drivers of adolescent pregnancy are complex and interconnected, including gender inequality, poverty, and barriers to health services. A strong link exists between early pregnancy and child marriage, with 90% of adolescent births in low and middle-income countries occurring among girls married before the age of 18.

To address this, WHO’s new recommendations include laws prohibiting marriage under 18, financial incentives such as scholarships to keep girls in school, and community engagement to shift social norms. Research cited in the guideline estimates that universal secondary education for girls could reduce child marriage rates by up to two-thirds.

Dr. Sheri Bastien, Scientist for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, WHO, emphasized the long-term impact of early marriage and the role of education in prevention: “Education is critical to change the future for young girls, while empowering adolescents, both boys and girls, to understand consent, take charge of their health, and challenge gender inequalities.”

The updated guidance calls for the removal of legal and systemic barriers to accessing adolescent-responsive sexual and reproductive health services, including contraception. In some regions, requirements for adult consent present significant obstacles. For those who do become pregnant, the guidelines stress the importance of access to respectful care during and after childbirth, and to safe abortion services where permitted by law.