Geneva, Switzerland

A World Health Organization (WHO) study has identified disturbing levels of violence faced by girls aged 15 to 19. As per the study published in the Lancet medical journal on Tuesday (July 30) around a quarter or one in four adolescent girls who have been in relationships have experienced physical or sexual violence. 

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Alarming numbers revealed

The study analysed data from thousands of adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 across 154 countries and areas. 

It showed that 24 per cent of them had been subjected to intimate partner violence at least once, with 16 per cent reporting such incidents in the past year.

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The data, derived from surveys conducted between 2000 and 2018, included acts of violence such as kicking, hitting, and any unwanted sexual act, including rape or attempted rape.

Dr Lynnmarie Sardinha, the lead author, expressed concern that younger women were not receiving adequate support, leading to the study's motivation. 

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"I was extremely surprised to see what a huge percentage of adolescent girls basically are already being subjected to violence, even before their 20th birthday," she told Reuters.

"We are behind where we should be," noted Sardinha.

She added that while data gathered since 2018 is still being verified, it shows only a "very slight decline."

Women's rights are under threat in THESE countries

The study found a strong correlation between violence levels and women's rights, with higher violence rates in countries where girls and women had limited access to education and faced unequal inheritance laws. 

Rates were highest in Oceania, followed by Africa, with 49 per cent of girls in Papua New Guinea and 42 per cent in the Democratic Republic of Congo reporting intimate partner violence. Europe had the lowest rate, but still had a significant 10 per cent of girls reporting such incidents.

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Profound and lasting harm

Dr Pascale Allotey, director of WHO's Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research department, emphasised the significance of addressing this issue. 

"Given that violence during these critical formative years can cause profound and lasting harms, it needs to be taken more seriously as a public health issue – with a focus on prevention and targeted support," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)