The World Health Organisation (WHO) warned in a new study that an alarming number of teenage girls would experience physical and/or sexual violence in their intimate relationships.
Nearly a quarter of teenage girls (24 per cent) will experience physical and/or sexual violence in intimate relationships before they turn twenty, according to the WHO study published in the scientific journal The Lancet. Dr Pascale Allotey, director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research department, stated:
“Intimate partner violence is starting alarmingly early for millions of young women around the world.”
In total, nearly 19 million adolescent girls are affected, although prevalence rates vary across regions of the world. The most affected regions are Oceania (47%) and sub-Saharan Central Africa (40%). Meanwhile, the lowest rates are found in Central Europe (10%) and Central Asia (11%).
The WHO study also notes differences related to socio-economic status. Violence is more prevalent in low-income countries and regions where girls are less likely to attend school.
On the other hand, high-income countries with reasonably strong economies have lower prevalence of intimate partner violence among adolescents. For example, according to the WHO, prevalence was in the lowest median range of 0-4 per cent in 15 European countries.
Since many adolescents lack financial resources of their own, they may face particular difficulties when it comes to leaving an abusive relationship.
Child marriage (under 18), which affects one in five girls worldwide, also significantly increases the risk of violence, as “the age difference between spouses creates power imbalances, economic dependence and social isolation,” according to the WHO.
“Devastating” impact
Physical and/or sexual violence can have an impact on adolescent girls’ school performance, their future relationships, their prospects and their health, a UN health agency has warned.
“Given that violence during these critical formative years can cause profound and lasting harms, it needs to be taken more seriously as a public health issue.”
Sexual and physical violence increases the risk of trauma, depression, anxiety disorders, unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and more. To end gender-based violence, the study recommends that governments develop policies and programmes that promote equality for women and girls. Dr Lynnmarie Sardinha, the study’s author, stated:
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.
In May, the European Union adopted its first directive on violence against women, which included prevention programmes.
