Thematic brief: Supporting married girls and adolescent mothers and girls who are pregnant

Objectives

This brief aims to highlight the close interlinkages between child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, given that the vast majority of adolescent births occur within marriage. It seeks to articulate the specific social, developmental, health and rights-related needs of married girls, pregnant adolescents and adolescent mothers, which are often overlooked by health, education and social protection systems. It further aims to synthesise emerging evidence and promising programme experiences to inform more holistic, multi-sectoral responses that integrate support for married and pregnant girls into existing strategies on education, child marriage, adolescent pregnancy and adolescent health.

Findings

The brief shows that adolescent pregnancy and child marriage are mutually reinforcing: in many contexts marriage generates strong pressure on girls to prove fertility, while unintended pregnancy can in turn trigger early marriage. Adolescent pregnancy is concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, with particularly high birth rates in West and Central Africa, Southern Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, and very early pregnancy (10–14 years) often linked to sexual violence and poverty. Pregnancy and childbirth for adolescents carry heightened risks of mortality and morbidity for both mother and child, yet responses have focused largely on prevention and maternal health, neglecting girls’ broader SRHR, mental health and socio-economic needs.

It documents how pregnancy frequently leads to disruption of education, school dropout, and long-term economic disadvantage, compounded by stigma, discriminatory school practices, abandonment by partners and constrained mobility within marriage. It also highlights high levels of exposure to gender-based violence, reproductive coercion, forced motherhood in settings with restrictive abortion laws, and significant but often unmet psychosocial needs. The brief also highlights a range of promising multi-sectoral approaches, such as school re-entry policies, social protection programmes, community life-skills and support groups, family and partner engagement, and youth-friendly SRHR and HIV services. When these interventions are delivered together, they strengthen contraceptive use, improve communication within couples, support girls to return to school or work, and enhance the overall social support available to adolescent mothers.

Summary

This brief explains how closely child marriage and adolescent pregnancy are linked. Most adolescent births happen within marriage. In many settings, girls are expected to prove their fertility soon after marriage. Unintended pregnancy can also push families to marry girls off quickly, limit future earning opportunities, and increase their risk of poor health, violence, and emotional distress.

It also notes that support for married and pregnant adolescents is often weak or fragmented. Promising responses include school re-entry policies, social protection, community support groups, partner and family engagement, and youth-friendly SRHR and HIV services. The brief calls for these efforts to be combined and integrated across health, education, child protection, and social sectors so that married and pregnant girls can realise their full rights

Purpose

The brief aims to deepen understanding of the unique needs and challenges faced by married girls, pregnant adolescents, and adolescent mothers. It brings together evidence on how child marriage and adolescent pregnancy intersect, and highlights effective approaches for supporting these groups. The goal is to guide stronger, coordinated action across sectors so that programmes and policies respond more fully to girls’ health, education, protection, and social needs.

Audience

The brief is designed for policymakers, practitioners, donors, and advocates working in adolescent health, child protection, education, gender equality, and social protection. It also supports organisations designing or adapting programmes for married girls and adolescent mothers, as well as researchers and partners seeking evidence to strengthen policy and programming.