Webinar on Teenage Pregnancy in North, West and Central Africa: Progress and Challenges

Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health problem that affects both developed and developing countries. Nearly 25% of adolescent women have got pregnant worldwide, and the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy in Africa is 18.8% with 19.3% occurring in Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to Guttmacher Reports (2020), adolescents aged 15–19 years in Lower- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) had an estimated 21 million pregnancies each year, of which approximately 50% were unintended and which resulted in an estimated 12 million births, with an unmet need for modern contraceptives of 43%. Over the past 25 years, the adolescent birth rate has declined from 60 births per 1,000 girls aged 15–19 years to 44, globally. Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a 22% decline in the adolescent birth rate during this period, although it continues to have the highest rate of any region globally, at 103.

Objectives

1. Discuss the challenges and assess progress made in reducing teenage pregnancies in North, West and Central (Africa NWCA): We will explore prevailing challenges hindering reduction in teenage pregnancy in the region and comprehensively assess progress made so far.
2. Effective Strategies to reduce teenage pregnancy: This webinar will discuss effective strategies and service delivery models to reduce teenage pregnancy.
3. Exchange Insights on Meeting FP2030 Commitments: We will engage in an open dialogue about how adolescent pregnancy aligns with the FP2030 commitments in NWCA.