>>Available in Word and PDF

Child marriage is the major cause worldwide of pregnancies before age 15. In most of the developing world, 90 percent of girls who give birth before age 18 are married. Young brides typically become sexually active as soon as they are married, sometimes before their first menstruation. Often living in their husband's household and community, they face intense pressures to bear children as soon as possible, with potentially disastrous results. 

>>Available in Word and PDF

>>Also available in French, Portuguese, and Spanish

>>To view more issue briefs from the Young Adolescents' Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights series, click here.

>>Available in PDF

>>Also available in French, Portuguese, and Spanish

Safe abortion—the termination of a pregnancy by trained health care providers using correct, sanitary technique and proper equipment—is a simple, lifesaving health service. Nonetheless, of the 42 million induced abortions each year, an estimated 20 million are unsafe and 97% of those occur in developing countries.  Every year, nearly 70,000 women die unnecessarily from the complications of unsafe abortions, and countless more suffer infections, infertility, and debilitating injuries.

From new commitments to sex education programs to progress on securing a women's right to abortion, these ten developments show that women's health was a priority concern in 2007, and will continue to require our attention and dedication in 2008.

>>Available in Word and PDF 

>>Also available in French, Portuguese, and Spanish

>>Available in Word and PDF

>>Also available in Portuguese and Spanish

>>Available in Word and PDF