WHO Report Reveals Alarming Rates of Intimate Partner Violence Among Adolescent Girls

The impacts of partner violence on adolescent girls are profound, affecting their health, education, future relationships, and overall life prospects.

A new analysis from the World Health Organization (WHO), published today in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, highlights a troubling trend: nearly a quarter (24%) of adolescent girls who have been in a relationship will have experienced physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence by the time they turn 20. This equates to close to 19 million girls globally. Furthermore, almost 1 in 6 (16%) experienced such violence in the past year alone.

Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of WHO’s Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research Department, emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue: “Intimate partner violence is starting alarmingly early for millions of young women around the world. 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 – with a focus on prevention and targeted support.”

The impacts of partner violence on adolescent girls are profound, affecting their health, education, future relationships, and overall life prospects. Victims of such violence face increased risks of physical injuries, depression, anxiety disorders, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other severe health conditions.

The study offers a comprehensive analysis of violence experienced by 15–19-year-old girls in intimate relationships, revealing significant regional disparities. The highest rates of violence are observed in Oceania (47%) and central sub-Saharan Africa (40%), while lower rates are found in central Europe (10%) and central Asia (11%). Within countries, the prevalence ranges from 6% to 49%, depending on local conditions.

Key factors contributing to high rates of violence include lower-income settings, limited access to secondary education for girls, and weaker legal rights regarding property and inheritance. Child marriage exacerbates these risks, creating power imbalances, economic dependency, and social isolation that increase the likelihood of sustained abuse.

The report underscores the need for targeted support services and early prevention measures for adolescents. This includes school-based programs that educate both boys and girls about healthy relationships and violence prevention, enhanced legal protections, and economic empowerment. Adolescents often struggle to leave abusive relationships due to a lack of financial resources.

Dr. Lynnmarie Sardinha, a study author and Technical Officer for Violence Against Women Data and Measurement at WHO, noted: “To end gender-based violence, countries need policies and programs that promote equality for women and girls. This involves ensuring secondary education for all girls, securing gender-equal property rights, and ending harmful practices such as child marriage. These measures address the root causes of violence.”

Currently, no country is on track to eliminate violence against women and girls by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal target date. Addressing child marriage, which affects 1 in 5 girls globally, and expanding girls’ access to secondary education are crucial for reducing partner violence against adolescents.

The WHO continues to support countries in measuring and addressing violence against women, with new guidelines on the prevention of child marriage expected by the end of 2024.