The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a concerning analysis indicating that nearly 19 million teenage girls will experience physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the age of 20. This information was published in a statement on July 30, 2024, alongside a new study in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health.
The analysis reveals that between 1 in 6 and 16% of adolescent girls have faced such violence in the past year. Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research Department, emphasized the urgency of addressing intimate partner violence, which often begins alarmingly early in the lives of young women.
She noted that such violence can have profound and lasting effects on health, education, relationships, and overall life prospects.The study highlights significant regional disparities in the prevalence of violence against adolescent girls, with Oceania and central sub-Saharan Africa reporting the highest rates at 47% and 40%, respectively. In contrast, central Europe and central Asia have the lowest rates, at 10% and 11%.
The findings suggest that lower-income countries and regions with fewer girls in secondary education are particularly affected by high rates of intimate partner violence.Allotey pointed out that child marriage and spousal age differences contribute to power imbalances that increase the risk of violence. She called for strengthened support services and early prevention measures tailored for adolescents, alongside educational programs promoting healthy relationships.
Dr. Lynnmarie Sardinha, a study author and Technical Officer for Violence against Women Data and Measurement at WHO, stressed the need for comprehensive policies and programs to enhance equality for women and girls. She noted that no country is currently on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal target date, highlighting the critical need for action to address these pervasive issues.
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