October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and it is imperative that we acknowledge the increase in Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence among adolescence, specifically girls.
A recent analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO), published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, reveals a troubling statistic: nearly 24% of adolescent girls who have been in relationships, approximately 19 million, will experience physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the time they turn 20. Furthermore, nearly 16% reported such experiences within the past year.
Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research Department, expressed deep concern: “Intimate partner violence is starting alarmingly early for millions of young women globally. The severe and lasting effects of violence during these critical formative years necessitate urgent attention as a public health issue, with a strong emphasis on prevention and tailored support.”
The impact of partner violence extends far beyond immediate harm. It can profoundly affect young people's health, educational attainment, future relationships, and overall life trajectories. Increased risks of injuries, anxiety, depression, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other physical and psychological conditions are all consequences of this violence.
This study provides a comprehensive look at the prevalence of intimate partner violence among girls aged 15 to 19. It also identifies the broader social, economic, and cultural factors that contribute to their increased vulnerability.
Although violence against adolescent girls is a global concern, significant regional disparities exist. According to WHO estimates, Oceania (47%) and central sub-Saharan Africa (40%) are the most affected regions, while central Europe (10%) and central Asia (11%) report the lowest rates. Within individual countries, the variation is stark, with prevalence rates ranging from approximately 6% in the least affected nations to nearly 49% in those with the highest incidence.
The analysis indicates that intimate partner violence is particularly prevalent in lower-income countries and regions where access to secondary education for girls is limited, and where they possess weaker legal rights regarding property and inheritance compared to their male counterparts. Child marriage, defined as marriage before the age of 18, significantly escalates these risks, creating power imbalances, economic dependencies, and social isolation that increase the likelihood of violence.
There is an urgent need for targeted services and support. The findings highlight an immediate need for enhanced support services and early intervention strategies specifically designed for adolescents. This includes initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering young women and girls. Effective programs should encompass education on healthy relationships and violence prevention, as well as legal protections and economic empowerment strategies. Many adolescents lack financial independence, which poses significant challenges when attempting to escape abusive relationships.
Dr. Lynnmarie Sardinha, a study author and Technical Officer for Violence Against Women Data and Measurement at WHO, stated, “To effectively combat gender-based violence, countries must implement policies and programs that foster equality for women and girls. This entails ensuring access to secondary education for all girls, securing gender-equal property rights, and eliminating harmful practices such as child marriage, which are often rooted in the same inequitable gender norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.”
Currently, no country is on track to achieve the goal of eliminating violence against women and girls by the target date of 2030. Addressing child marriage—affecting one in five girls globally—and expanding access to secondary education for girls are critical steps toward mitigating partner violence against adolescent girls.
WHO is actively supporting countries in measuring and addressing violence against women, focusing on strengthening prevention and response mechanisms within the healthcare sector. New guidelines aimed at preventing child marriage are anticipated to be released by the end of 2024.