Becoming a mother carries particularly large risks for young adolescent girls in developing countries.
Each year, millions of girls become brides and have children long before they are physically, emotionally and socially ready. For most of these girls, pregnancy has little to do with choice ; the overwhelming majority are married and simply expected to have a child.
Many factors make childbearing in developing countries particularly dangerous for young adolescent girls. Girls, who are not fully developed physiologically are at higher risk of long and obstructed labour. Adolescent girls giving birth for the first time are also more likely to deliver alone, without skilled support.
Young girls' lives can be saved by providing reproductive health services, skilled attendance at delivery and access to emergency care when complications arise. PUSH to help
Support must however go beyond providing health care and information. UNFPA and Väestöliitto both work in developing countries to increase the age of marriage, keep girls in school, build life-skills, promote employment opportunities and push for policies and laws that protect the rights and health of girls and women.
To learn more visit: www.unfpa.org/adolescents
THEFACTS
Pregnancy and childbirth-related deaths are the number one killer of 15-19 year old girls worldwide. Each year, nearly 70,000 die.
At least 2 million more are left with chronic illness and disability, such as fistula, which can cause life-long suffering, shame and abandonment.
Having a baby very early also compromises a girl's future. Too early motherhood brings an end to education and leaves girls with few positive life options.
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