War Torn Girlhood

The Syrian crisis has left hundreds of thousands of adolescent girls vulnerable to child marriage and in need of adequate gender-based violence, sexual education and reproductive health services. UNFPA is helping to fill this void in Jordan, where 42,000 Syrian refugees are girls between the ages of 12 and 17. This is Asma's story. A film by UNFPA Jordan/Elspeth Dehnert.

News

Period shame, misinformation linked to serious human rights concerns

07 June 2018
Menstrual health is a serious, but overlooked, issue among vulnerable women. Refugees in Louva, Angola, receive UNFPA-distributed dignity kits, which include sanitary napkins, soap, laundry detergent and other essential hygiene supplies. © UNFPA/Tiril Skarstein
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News

A young activist in Malawi campaigns to keep girls out of marriage and in school

10 May 2018
Drawing on her own experience being married as a child – and then getting back to school – Jenipher Sanni has become a mentor for girls in her community. © UN Foundation/GirlUp
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News

In the Philippines, information key to halting teenage pregnancy

23 March 2018
“We really need more information on sex and reproductive health,” said Kathleen Acosta, 18, a senior and student leader at UP high school in Iloilo. © UNFPA Philippines
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News

Teen moms in Peru pinpoint need for sexuality education, health services

19 February 2018
Angie and Jazmin were both teen mothers in Lima, Peru. They both say they did not have access to comprehensive sexuality education. © Paco Chuquiure
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News

Mothers too young: Inequality fuels adolescent pregnancies in Thailand

12 February 2018
Fern* is living in an emergency home, a shelter offering crisis care and maternal care for teen mothers. © UNFPA/Ruth Carr
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News

Life interrupted: Myanmar teen pregnancy points to need for comprehensive sexuality education

25 January 2018
Thiri became pregnant at age 15. A marriage was hastily arranged for her, and she dropped out of school. © UNFPA Myanmar/Yenny Gamming
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News

Judges in Nicaragua learn to see the world through the eyes of vulnerable women

14 December 2017
District family court judge Yorlin Matamoro has received a UNFPA-supported master's degree in gender equality and human rights. © UNFPA Nicaragua/Joaquín Zuñiga
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