News

Period shame, misinformation linked to serious human rights concerns

calendar_today07 June 2018

Menstrual health is a serious, but overlooked, issue among vulnerable women. Refugees in Louva, Angola, receive UNFPA-distributed dignity kits, which include sanitary napkins, soap, laundry detergent and other essential hygiene supplies. © UNFPA/Tiril Skarstein
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News

A young activist in Malawi campaigns to keep girls out of marriage and in school

calendar_today10 May 2018

Drawing on her own experience being married as a child – and then getting back to school – Jenipher Sanni has become a mentor for girls in her community. © UN Foundation/GirlUp
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News

In the Philippines, information key to halting teenage pregnancy

calendar_today23 March 2018

“We really need more information on sex and reproductive health,” said Kathleen Acosta, 18, a senior and student leader at UP high school in Iloilo. © UNFPA Philippines
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Teen moms in Peru pinpoint need for sexuality education, health services

calendar_today19 February 2018

Angie and Jazmin were both teen mothers in Lima, Peru. They both say they did not have access to comprehensive sexuality education. © Paco Chuquiure
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News

Mothers too young: Inequality fuels adolescent pregnancies in Thailand

calendar_today12 February 2018

Fern* is living in an emergency home, a shelter offering crisis care and maternal care for teen mothers. © UNFPA/Ruth Carr
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News

Life interrupted: Myanmar teen pregnancy points to need for comprehensive sexuality education

calendar_today25 January 2018

Thiri became pregnant at age 15. A marriage was hastily arranged for her, and she dropped out of school. © UNFPA Myanmar/Yenny Gamming
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Slideshow

Voices of child brides around the world

calendar_today01 February 2018

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Child marriage is common; it takes place in every corner of the world. In Nicaragua, Irayda ran away from an abusive home and got married at age 14. “Before I was 15, I was already pregnant,” she said. © UNFPA Nicaragua

Millions of girls are married off every year. In Myanmar, this girl was married off while still a teenager. © UNFPA Myanmar/Yenny Gamming

Child marriage is largely driven by poverty and gender inequality. Fanny, in Malawi, was married at 17. “This was due to pressure from my parents, who were overwhelmed by the deep poverty we were experiencing, but I was not ready,” she said. ©UNFPA Malawi

The practice takes an enormous toll on children. Child brides often drop out of school, limiting their future potential. In Kabul, Leda’s husband forced her to leave the 11th grade. This is her empty classroom chair. © UNFPA Afghanistan

The reverse is true as well: Girls who leave school are extremely vulnerable to child marriage. “If I quit my studies, I will be married off immediately,” said Kabita, 16, in Nepal. © UNFPA Nepal/Dhana Bahadur Lamsal

Child brides are vulnerable to violence. “They really beat me up, a beating like I had never experienced in my entire life,” said Eunice, in Kenya, describing her forced marriage. She escaped and now, at 16, she is happily in school. Luca Zordan for UNFPA

Violence leaves a lasting mark, affecting girls’ physical, emotional and mental well-being. “I wanted to finish my life because of all the torture,” said one girl in Afghanistan, who was a child bride at age 12. These are her shoes. © UNFPA Afghanistan

Child brides are often pushed into premature parenthood. “My sister wasn't ready to be a bride at 17,” said Puja, in Nepal. “Her marriage was against her will. Right after her marriage, she became a mother.” © UNFPA Nepal/Dhana Bahadur Lamsal

Many become pregnant before their bodies are ready. Pregnancy-related complications are the world’s leading killer of adolescent girls. “I damaged my spine because of this early pregnancy,” said Ameena, in Yemen (second from left), married at 15. © UNFPA

Pregnancy also increases the risk of child marriage. In Kenya, Pamela’s father tried to marry her off after she became pregnant. She fled. “If I ever go back home, he will kill me,” she said. But she is happy she escaped. Luca Zordan for UNFPA

Boys are married off as well. “I was a child,” said this young man in Yemen, who was married at age 16. His wife was 13. “I could not make my own decisions. My father ordered me to marry, so I got married.” © UNFPA Yemen

But empowering youth can help to end this practice. With knowledge about their reproductive health and human rights, young people can take a stand. “If I were married right now, I would not be ready,” said Yuridia, 11, in Mexico. © UNFPA Mexico

When they are empowered, girls can pursue dreams bigger than an early marriage. “I am not ready for marriage because I want to continue studying to be a professional,” said Maybelle, 15, in El Salvador. © UNFPA El Salvador

Informing children, and their communities, about the harms of child marriage can help mobilize a movement against it. “I think it’s not a good idea for young children to be married,” said Faina, 18. © UNFPA Comoros

And families can make better choices. “When I fell pregnant, my mother refused [to have] me go and stay with the boy responsible. I think she made a good decision,” said Edna, 17. “Here at school, you dream of a better future.” © UNFPA Malawi

Video

Teenage pregnancy in Myanmar: One girl's story

calendar_today24 January 2018

Teenage pregnancy in Myanmar: One girl's story

Teenage pregnancy in Myanmar: One girl's story

Every year, almost 50,000 teenage girls in Myanmar give birth, according to 2014 census information. Thiri was one of these girls. 

News

Judges in Nicaragua learn to see the world through the eyes of vulnerable women

calendar_today14 December 2017

District family court judge Yorlin Matamoro has received a UNFPA-supported master's degree in gender equality and human rights. © UNFPA Nicaragua/Joaquín Zuñiga
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