Struggles and Challenges Facing Not Only Women, But Girls and Young Women

Adolescent girls, many of the verge of adulthood, face many challenges. They are discriminated against as females, and consequently face diminished opportunities and choices. They are often poorly educated, subject to serious health risks, and threatened by violence. Their views and concerns are often unheard.

There are 1.8 billion young people in the world. Approximately half of them – 900

million – are adolescent girls and young women.

• Girls’ primary school completion rates are below 50 per cent in most poor countries.

• Pregnancy- and childbirth-related complications are the number one killers of girls

aged 15 to 19 worldwide.

• One in seven girls in developing countries is married before age 15, and 38 per cent

are married before age 18.

• In sub-Saharan Africa, more women than men are living with HIV, and young women aged 15–24 years are as much as eight times more likely than men to be HIV positive.

• Women and girls make up 80 per cent of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked

across national borders annually, with the majority (79 per cent) trafficked for sexual

exploitation.

This information comes from UN Programme on Youth (UNPY) Empowering Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Girls and Young Women, in the context of the International Year of Youth. Read more at DESA News report of the briefing session and check out some photos.