Nearly a third of women living in developing countries become mothers before the age of 20, according to a study released Tuesday. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which specializes in sexual and reproductive health.
On the other hand, research shows that nearly half of teens who have sex for the first time are under the age of 17.
“Obviously the world is failing with teenage girls,” the director said. UNFPANatalya Kanem.
“The repeated pregnancies we are seeing among teenage mothers are a clear sign that they are in desperate need of sexual and reproductive health information and services,” she added.
Numbers on young moms
Nearly three-quarters of those who had their first child at age 14 or younger had their second child while still in their teens. And 40% of those who had two children gave birth to a third before leaving adolescence, according to the study.
While UNFPA says it sees encouraging signs of a decline in teenage births around the world, it estimates that the pace is still too slow.
“Governments should invest in adolescent girls and help expand their opportunities, resources and skills to help prevent early and unwanted pregnancies,” Kanem urged.
“When girls can meaningfully determine the course of their lives, child motherhood will become less and less common,” he said.
(AFP)
Source: RPP
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