Women’s health during the reproductive or fertile years (between the ages of 15 and 49 years)
is relevant not only to women themselves, but also has an impact on the health and development
of the next generation. Many of the health challenges during this period are ones that
only young girls and women face. For example, complications of pregnancy and childbirth
are the leading cause of death in young women aged between 15 and 19 years old in developing
countries. Globally, the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age is HIV/
AIDS. Girls and women are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection due to a combination of
biological factors and gender-based inequalities, particularly in cultures that limit women’s
knowledge about HIV and their ability to protect themselves and negotiate safer sex. The most
important risk factors for death and disability in this age group in low- and middle-income
countries are lack of contraception and unsafe sex. These result in unwanted pregnancies,
unsafe abortions, complications of pregnancy and childbirth, and sexually transmitted infections
including HIV. Violence is an additional significant risk to women’s sexual and reproductive
health and can also result in mental ill-health and other chronic health problems.