One in every 10 adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years has had a live birth – GSS – MyJoyOnline
One in every 10 adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years has had a live ... Myjoyonline
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Statistics on Adolescent Pregnancy in Ghana
The 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) has revealed alarming statistics on adolescent pregnancy in the country. The survey, conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service, aimed to shed light on the challenges faced by young girls, such as early marriage, childbearing, and limited access to education, which hinder their full potential. These findings are significant in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 4: Quality Education.
Key Findings:
- The survey found that 10.9% of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years have already given birth.
- The percentage of adolescents with a live birth increases with age, with 23.8% of 19-year-olds having given birth.
- In 10 out of the 16 regions, more than 10% of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years have had a live birth. The Bono East Region has the highest rate, with one in every five girls (19.1%) in this age range having given birth.
- The Savannah and North East regions have the second-highest rates, both at 17.5%, followed by the Ashanti Region at 16.8%.
- The Greater Accra Region has the lowest percentage, with only 5.4% of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years having given birth.
- Rural areas have a higher percentage (14.4%) of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years with a live birth compared to urban areas (8.0%).
- Adolescent girls with no education have a significantly higher rate (26.5%) of live births compared to those with primary education (20.3%). Girls with secondary education have the lowest rate (8.6%) of live births.
- Adolescent girls in households in the lowest wealth quintile have the highest percentage (17.5%) of live births, which is more than four times the figure for girls in the highest wealth quintile (3.7%).
- During the 2021 Population and Housing Census, 9.1% of adolescents aged 15 to 19 years were in a marital union. Of these, 5.5% were currently married, 3.2% were in informal unions or living with a partner, and 0.4% had formerly been married.
These statistics highlight the urgent need to address the issue of adolescent pregnancy in Ghana. It is crucial to invest in girls’ rights, ensuring their access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for leadership. By doing so, we can work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and creating a more equitable and prosperous society.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- Indicator: Percentage of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years who have had a live birth.
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
- Indicator: Percentage of adolescent girls with no education, primary education, and secondary education who have had a live birth.
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SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Indicator: Percentage of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years who have been in a marital union.
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Indicator: Percentage of adolescent girls with different levels of education and wealth quintiles who have had a live birth.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Percentage of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years who have had a live birth. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes. | Percentage of adolescent girls with no education, primary education, and secondary education who have had a live birth. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. | Percentage of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years who have been in a marital union. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Percentage of adolescent girls with different levels of education and wealth quintiles who have had a live birth. |
Analysis
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article highlights the issue of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years having live births. This is connected to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for all. Target 3.7 specifically focuses on universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. The indicator mentioned in the article, the percentage of adolescent girls who have had a live birth, can be used to measure progress towards this target.
-
SDG 4: Quality Education
The article mentions the deprivation of education for young girls as a challenge. This is relevant to SDG 4, which aims to ensure quality education for all. Target 4.1 focuses on free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education. The article provides indicators related to education levels (no education, primary education, secondary education) and their association with adolescent girls who have had a live birth.
-
SDG 5: Gender Equality
The article mentions early marriage as a challenge preventing young girls from reaching their full potential. This is connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. Target 5.3 specifically focuses on eliminating harmful practices such as child, early, and forced marriage. The indicator mentioned in the article, the percentage of adolescent girls who have been in a marital union, can be used to measure progress towards this target.
-
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article highlights disparities in the percentage of adolescent girls with different levels of education and wealth quintiles who have had a live birth. This is relevant to SDG 10, which aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries. Target 10.2 focuses on promoting the social, economic, and political inclusion of all individuals, irrespective of their status. The article provides indicators related to education levels and wealth quintiles that can be used to measure progress towards this target.
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Source: myjoyonline.com
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