Publisher

UNFPA

Publication date

Jun 2022

Resources

Motherhood in Childhood: The Untold Story Executive Summary

This report examines trends in adolescent childbearing using techniques that focus on the most vulnerable girls, such as child mothers, girls with repeat adolescent childbearing, and births that occur in dangerously quick succession. In using these new measures, it uncovers the untold story of more than 50 years of adolescent childbearing in the world’s low- and middle- income countries.

This Executive Summary provides an overview of the full report.

News

After childbirth trauma, Afghan women emerge from life in shadows

calendar_today07 June 2016

Noorjahan laughs as she recovers from fistula surgery in Malalai Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan. Now, she says, "I can live." © Andrea Bruce/ NOOR
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News

As global cases of COVID-19 hit grim milestones and exacerbate other crises, UNFPA strengthens resolve to save lives

calendar_today03 February 2021

Midwife Prasansa Budha Lama examines a new mother and baby on the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. During lockdown, UNFPA-supported midwives provided telecounselling and helpline services, communicating with pregnant and postpartum women via social networks and messaging apps. © UNFPA Nepal
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News

Honduras television drama shines light on teen pregnancy, helps girls speak out

calendar_today04 November 2020

A scene from Es Cosa D-2 shows the struggles of adolescent girls in Honduras. © UNFPA Honduras
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Publication date

Dec 2019

Author

Mengjia Liang, Sandile Simelane, Guillem Fortuny Fillo, Satvika Chalasani, Katherine Weny, Pablo Salazar Canelos, Lorna Jenkins, Ann-Beth Moller, Venkatraman Chandra-Mouli, Lale Say, Kristien Michielsen, Danielle Marie Claire Engel, Rachel Snow

Publication

The State of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health

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News

Kazakhstan adolescents demand information to avoid teenage pregnancies

calendar_today23 January 2020

Despite the difficulties she experienced, Nadya is glad she chose to keep her child. © UNFPA Kazakhstan
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News

In Moldova, life skills education helps girls find a better path

calendar_today29 October 2019

Without the support and information, Iuliana* faced violence and early pregnancy. But with the right support, a brighter future is possible. © UNFPA Moldova/Anastasia Pirvu
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News

A guiding hand: School counsellors in Sierra Leone address early pregnancy, child marriage

calendar_today18 March 2019

Fatmata Sesay reenrolled in school after becoming pregnant at age 15. © UNFPA Sierra Leone/Salim Kamara
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News

“They were afraid I would die”: Early motherhood puts girls at risk in the Republic of Moldova

calendar_today02 August 2018

Maria with her youngest daughter. She lost weight after each pregnancy, alarming her doctors. © UNFPA Moldova/Dan Gutu
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The Syrian crisis has left hundreds of thousands of adolescent girls vulnerable to child marriage and in need of adequate gender-based violence, sexual education and reproductive health services. UNFPA is helping to fill this void in Jordan, where 42,000 Syrian refugees are girls between the ages of 12 and 17. This is Asma's story. A film by UNFPA Jordan/Elspeth Dehnert.