Pregnancy is 'biggest teenage killer worldwide'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Pregnancy is the biggest killer of teenage girls worldwide, a charity has said.
Every year one million teenage girls die or are injured because of pregnancy or childbirth, according to Save the Children.
In a new report, the children's charity warns that girls under 15 are five times more likely to die in pregnancy than women in their 20s.
More than 25,000 girls under 18 are married every day, according to the report. Many quickly fall pregnant before their bodies have sufficiently developed.
"The issue of children having children - and dying because their bodies are too immature to deliver the baby - is a global scandal," said Save the Children's chief executive Justin Forsyth.
"This is a tragedy not just for those girls but also for their children - babies are 60% more likely to die if their mother is under 18.
"In the developing world, family planning isn't just a lifestyle choice. Children's lives depend on it."
The report also found that around the world, one in five girls are teenage mothers - having given birth to a child by the time they are 18.
Next month a family planning summit is to be held in London to discuss increasing the global availability of contraceptives and to empower women so they have more choices about sex.
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments