A recent study published in the medical journal The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health has shed light on the prevalence of physical and/or sexual violence faced by girls aged 15-19 years in intimate relationships. The study, drawing on existing data, reveals that almost 16 percent, or one in six, of these young women have experienced violence in the past year. This alarming statistic highlights the urgent need for action to address intimate partner violence among adolescents.
Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research Department, emphasized the early onset of intimate partner violence for millions of young women worldwide. She stressed the importance of taking this issue seriously as a public health concern, with a focus on prevention and targeted support. Violence during these critical formative years can have profound and lasting impacts on health, including increased likelihood of injuries, depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other physical and psychological conditions. Additionally, educational achievement, future relationships, and lifelong prospects can all be negatively affected by intimate partner violence.
While the problem of intimate partner violence exists globally, the study found significant regional differences in prevalence rates. Oceana and central sub-Saharan Africa have the highest rates, at 47 percent and 40 percent, respectively, while central Europe and central Asia have the lowest rates, at 10 percent and 11 percent. Intimate partner violence against young women is most common in lower-income countries and regions with lower rates of secondary school attendance for girls and weaker legal protections for women’s property ownership and inheritance rights. Child marriage, occurring before a girl turns 18, also significantly increases the risks of intimate partner violence due to power imbalances, economic dependency, and social isolation.
To address the issue of intimate partner violence against adolescent girls, WHO emphasized the need to strengthen and support services and early prevention measures targeted towards adolescents. This should be coupled with efforts to advance women’s and girls’ agency and rights, including school-based programs to educate both girls and boys on healthy relationships and violence prevention, legal protections, and economic empowerment. Unfortunately, no country is currently on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by 2030, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals.
Ending child marriage, which affects one in five girls globally, and expanding girls’ access to secondary education are crucial steps in reducing partner violence against adolescent girls, according to WHO. Promoting equality for women and girls and ensuring access to education can help prevent intimate partner violence and create a more equitable society.
In conclusion, the study highlights the urgent need to address intimate partner violence among adolescent girls and underscores the importance of prevention, protection, and empowerment initiatives. By taking concrete steps to promote equality, education, and rights for women and girls, countries can work towards eliminating violence against women and girls and creating a safer and more equitable world for all.
