The World Health Organization has rolled out a powerful new guideline aimed at slashing adolescent pregnancy rates—now the leading cause of death for girls aged 15 to 19.
Every year, more than 21 million girls in low- and middle-income countries become pregnant. Shockingly, nearly half of these pregnancies are unintended. WHO officials warn that early pregnancies devastate not just physical health but also mental well-being and economic opportunities.
“Early pregnancies can have serious physical and psychological consequences for girls and young women,” said Dr. Pascale Allotey, WHO’s Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research. “Tackling this issue means creating conditions where girls and young women can thrive.”
At the heart of the new strategy is a push to end child marriage entirely. WHO strongly advocates for banning marriage under the age of 18.
The guideline also recommends offering financial incentives to keep girls in secondary school, making contraception readily available without parental consent barriers, and delivering comprehensive sexuality education.
“Education is critical to changing the future for young girls,” noted Dr. Sheri Bastien, a scientist for Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health at WHO. “It empowers adolescents—both boys and girls—to understand consent, take charge of their health, and challenge deeply rooted gender inequalities.”
This guideline marks a major upgrade from WHO’s 2011 framework, with sharper, actionable recommendations.
It is designed to fit seamlessly into WHO’s broader strategies against gender-based violence, poor adolescent health, and limited healthcare access.
Dr. Allotey underscored that “ensuring girls can stay in school, be protected from violence and coercion, and access sexual and reproductive health services that uphold their rights” is crucial to breaking cycles of poverty.
Giving young women real choices, she added, is key to building stronger health outcomes and brighter futures across communities.
With the stakes this high, WHO’s message is clear: the world must act—now—to protect adolescent girls’ health, rights, and futures.
