If a teenager does become pregnant, she and her parents are likely to feel
shame and humiliation. Meanwhile, fearing damage to its reputation, the school will
pressure her to drop out.
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The United Nations Population Fund, within the framework of the ICPD
Programme of Action, has placed importance on protecting and fulfilling human
rights to protect sexual and reproductive health, especially for teenage girls, by
considering:
• Reducing pregnancy risks by considering the needs of teenage girls,
especially sexually active teenagers and neglected teenagers;
• Enhancing the capacity and strengthening the participation of civil
society, communities and teenagers;
• Empowering teenage girls to continue their education and gain the
opportunity for self-development towards a better quality of life;
• Advocating new ideas that concern human rights protection in order to
effect a change in perspectives, attitudes, thinking processes and habits,
as well as valuing and defining the structure, policies and the actions
towards the protection and care of pregnant teenagers. It is important not
to blame the adolescents for the problem, and to realise that all adults
involved have a responsibility to protect children’s rights and basic needs
so as to lower the risks of teenage pregnancy.
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Adolescent pregnancy affects every aspect of the mothers’ lives, and also has an intergenerational
impact on the children born to them. It takes a toll on society and the economy. It also inevitably places
a burden on the public health system which, for the past 10 years or more, has focused on providing
universal health care. Adolescent pregnancy is a challenge which requires cooperation from all parties.
Measures should be taken to reduce its impact on teenagers, who should be given the maximum chance
to develop their potential through education, increase their opportunity in the job market and start a
family when they are ready to become parents. Adolescent pregnancy also presents an unnecessary
drain on social services and health systems, and leads to economic impacts at a national level.