The number of girls giving birth aged 10-14 rose to 3,433 in 2023 from 2,113 in 2020, according to newly released data from the Philippines Statistics Authority. [1]
Sexual violence, coercion and a lack of access to adolescent reproductive health services were some of the factors cited as causing this increase in child pregnancies which can derail girls’ healthy development into adulthood and damage their education.[2]
In many countries, adolescent pregnancy can be a result of poverty, discrimination, and a lack of girls’ empowerment. It might also be a consequence of gender-based violence or harmful practices such as when girls are forced into child marriage.[3]
In the Philippines, an Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill passed by the House of Representatives in 2023 was touted as one solution towards helping to lower the high teenage pregnancy rate. This would have increased access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, including contraception, in a country where written parental consent is still needed for children aged 18 and below to access contraceptives.
However, opposition from conservative lobby groups caused supporters of the bill in the Senate to withdraw support earlier this year ahead of the national election and, with only one session left in the 19th Congress, there is little chance to deliberate the bill before a new Congress takes over in July.
Adolescent birth rates have generally decreased globally. Since 2000, the global adolescent birth rate for the 10-14 age group has declined by around 70%, from 3.5 to 1.1 pregnancies for every 1,000 adolescent girls.[4]
But progress has been slow in East Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East and North Africa because of a lack of adequate reproductive health care and sexual and reproductive education available to girls as well as gender inequality and cultural and societal norms that all contribute towards child and adolescent pregnancy.[5]
Vivien Martin, Director of Sponsorship Program, Save the Children Philippines, said:
“At the age of 10 girls shouldn’t be mothers. They shouldn’t be taking care of babies because they are still children themselves. These numbers should absolutely be a wakeup call for the Philippines. This is not just a health issue. It’s a child protection crisis.
“Reproductive health education, accessible sexual health services for children, community support, and child protection services that effectively deal with the perpetrators of sexual violence against, and the coercion of, children are all part of the solution.
“Alongside this solution, very young mothers aged 10 to 14 should be provided with age-appropriate systems of care, including healthcare, counselling, protection, and other essential services delivered through an integrated system that works cohesively.
“The future of girls in the Philippines cannot be politicized. The Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Bill must pass because girls' lives and their futures are at stake.”
Nadine*, 16, a teenage mother from Manila said:
“They only teach a little in school (about sexual and reproductive health) but I still learn something. Health services are a huge help, especially for children who don’t know much about this. It’s really a big help to teach children not to rush growing up. I can really say that I just want to be a kid again.”
Save the Children is working closely with local governments in the Philippines - alongside national agencies, civil society groups and other local partners - to make sure girls have access to health care, counselling, protection, and other vital services, especially those living in areas with high rates of teen pregnancy.
Save the Children has been working in the Philippines since 1981 with programmes in humanitarian response, health and nutrition, education, and children's rights and protection.
ENDS
SPOKESPEOPLE AVAILABLE IN MANILA.
MEDIA CONTACT: Mala Darmadi on 0425 562 113 or media.team@savethechildren.org.au.
Notes to Editors:
*Names have been changed to protect identities.