Making it a Priority: Adolescents’ Health and Rights

Adolescents face unique challenges and significant vulnerabilities due to marginalization across the globe. Early marriage, a lack of accurate and complete sexual and reproductive health information, and lack of access to quality health services can make these challenges monumental. The risk of maternal mortality is highest among young adolescent girls. In addition, exposure to gender-based violence, including discrimination based on sexual and gender identity and expression, and a greater susceptibility to STIs, such as HIV, further marginalize young people. However, adolescence can and should be the time to support young people’s access to information, education, skills, and services that result in a healthy and safe transition into adulthood. Comprehensive Sexuality Education, increased access and quality of health services, laws to protect girls from early marriage, and policies to dismantle harmful policies and practices are crucial efforts to promote all adolescents' health and well-being. Ensuring young people have access to such services and information allows them to make choices and fulfill their rights to shape the future they want for themselves.