Adolescent girls face alarming rates of intimate partner violence. Nearly a quarter of adolescent girls who have been in a relationship, that is 24%, have experienced intimate partner violence.
Intimate partner violence can have severe and long-lasting effects on the victim’s physical and mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
Close to 19 million people experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the time they turn 20 years old.
The alarming statistics were highlighted in a new analysis by the World Health Organization (WH0) recently published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.
Almost 1 in 6, that is 16%, experienced such violence in the past year.
“Intimate partner violence is starting alarmingly early for millions of young women around the world,” said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research department.
“Given that violence during these critical formative years can cause profound and lasting harm, and it needs to be taken more seriously as a public health issue, with a focus on prevention and targeted support.”
Partner violence can have devastating impacts on young people’s health, educational achievement, future relationships, and lifelong prospects. From a health perspective, it heightens the likelihood of injuries, depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and many other physical and psychological conditions.
High rates of violence against adolescent girls reflect deeply entrenched inequalities. This study draws on existing data to provide, for the first time, a detailed analysis of the prevalence of physical sexual partner violence experienced by 15-19-year-olds and/or girls who have been in intimate relationships.
It also identifies broader social, economic and cultural factors that increase their risks. While violence against adolescent girls occurs everywhere, the research highlights significant differences in prevalence. Based on WHO’s estimates, the worst affected regions are Oceania (47%) and central sub-Saharan Africa at 40%.
Countries with the lowest rates are in central Europe at 10%, and central Asia at 11%.
Between countries, there is also a substantive range: from an estimated 6% adolescent girls subjected to such violence in the least affected countries, to 49% in those with the highest rates.
The new analyses found that intimate partner violence against adolescent girls is most common in lower-income countries and regions, in places where there are fewer girls in secondary school, and where girls have weaker legal property ownership and inheritance rights compared to men.
Child marriage (before the age of 18 years) significantly escalates risk as spousal age difference creates power imbalances, economic dependency, and social isolation – all of which increase the likelihood of enduring abuse.
Adolescent girls need targeted services and support.
The study highlights the urgent need to strengthen support services and early prevention measures tailored for adolescents, alongside actions to advance women’s and girls’ agency and rights, from school-based programs that educate both boys and girls on healthy relationships and violence prevention, to legal protections, and economic empowerment.
Since many adolescents lack their own financial resources, they can face particular challenges in leaving abusive relationships.
“The study shows that to end gender-based violence, countries need to have policies and programmes in place that increase equality for women and girls,” said study author Dr Lynn Marie Sardinta, Technical Officer for Violence against women Data and Measurement at WHO.
“This means ensuring secondary education for all girls, securing gender-equal property rights, and ending harmful practices such as child marriage, which are often underpinned by the same inequitable gender norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.”
Currently, no country is on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals target date. Ending child marriage, which affects one in five girls globally and expanding girls’ access to secondary education, will be critical factors for reducing intimate partner violence against adolescent girls.
WHO supports countries to measure and address violence against women, including efforts to strengthen prevention and response within the health care sector. New WHO guidelines on prevention of child marriage are planned for release by the end of 2024.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwean government, UNFPA, and partners, earlier this year, launched the “Women at the Center” project to combat gender-based violence (GBV). This 4-year initiative (2023-2026) aims to:
● Strengthen GBV case management systems nationwide
● Increase access to quality services for all survivors, especially marginalized groups.
● Pilot in Bubi district before expanding to other provinces.
The project addresses the pervasive issue of GBV in Zimbabwe, where 1 in 3 women and girls experience violence. It focuses on empowering survivors, preventing GBV, and building strong support systems. The launch aligns with UNFPA’s 30th anniversary of the International Conference on Population and Development, emphasizing women’s empowerment for peace and prosperity.
Ms. Miranda Tabifor, UNFPA Zimbabwe Country Representative, said the initiative was not just meant to react to violence. Rather, it focused on prevention through a holistic approach.
“The ‘Women at the Center’ project uses a holistic approach to address the pandemic of violence against women in Zimbabwe. It’s not just about responding to GBV; it’s about preventing it. By empowering women, addressing their needs, and building strong support systems, we can create a safer and more just future for all,” said Tabifor.
The trained specialized actors in GBV case management will provide essential services, the use of mobile one-stop centers, GBV hotlines, community-based risk mitigation and referral mechanisms, safe spaces, GBV surveillance and referral.
This multi-faceted approach will help ensure survivors receive the support and protection they need.
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