A/HRC/RES/56/21
inability to continue with and complete their education, and unpaid care, support and
domestic work responsibilities, that limit their future educational and employment
opportunities and economic empowerment and their ability to participate in public affairs and
perpetuate intergenerational cycles of poverty, with negative impacts for adolescent girls
themselves, their families, communities and societies,
Recognizing that the drivers of adolescent girls’ pregnancy may include factors such
as poverty, social exclusion, gender inequality, gender stereotypes and negative social norms,
peer pressure, child, early and forced marriage and unions, sexual and gender-based violence,
sexual harassment, limited equal access to quality and inclusive education and to safe school
environments, including a lack of water, sanitation and hygiene, limited access to genderand age-responsive, disability-inclusive and affordable health-care services, education and
information, including for sexual and reproductive health, that are free from violence,
coercion, stigma and discrimination, inadequate social protection measures and inequalities
within and among countries,
Recognizing also that school closures, armed conflict, public health emergencies and
climate and humanitarian emergencies may also be among the factors that exacerbate
adolescent girls’ pregnancy,
Stressing the need for States to strengthen their national strategies, policies and
programmes, in accordance with international human rights obligations, in order to prevent
adolescent girls’ pregnancy by considering social protection measures, increasing resources
and investment in adolescent girls’ rights, including through gender-responsive budget
allocations, and supporting their re-entry into education, thus preventing school dropout, and
emphasizing in this regard the importance of adolescent girls’ full, equal and meaningful
participation, empowerment and leadership,
Convinced that increased political will and commitment, international cooperation
and technical assistance at all levels, in particular for developing countries, and other
measures to support the full realization of economic, social and cultural rights and the
achievement of sustainable development, such as development partnerships and debt relief,
will contribute positively to accelerating progress towards preventing adolescent girls’
pregnancy,
1.
Requests the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights to prepare, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including States, United
Nations agencies, funds and programmes, international and regional organizations, the
special procedures of the Human Rights Council, treaty bodies, national human rights
institutions and civil society, including women’s organizations, youth-led organizations and
adolescent girls, a comprehensive report on how to accelerate progress towards preventing
adolescent girls’ pregnancy and to present the report, in a format that is child-friendly and
accessible to persons with disabilities, to the Council at its sixty-second session;
2.
Decides to remain seized of the matter.
37th meeting
12 July 2024
[Adopted without a vote.]
2