The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Published 24 years ago
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'Adolescent Pregnancy? A Global Problem' (WAGGGS) - Global

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The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) has launched a campaign on the prevention of early adolescent pregnancy, focusing on young women under the age of 15. WAGGGS intends to raise awareness about the worldwide issue of adolescent pregnancy, and promote ways of actively addressing the problem.
Communication Strategies

WAGGGS believes that education, including non-formal education, is the real key topreventing adolescent pregnancy. WAGGGS calls on communities, parents, governments,schools and health services to provide opportunities for young women to contribute tosociety, and to provide appropriate education, information, skills and access to healthservices to enable girls and young women to make informed and responsible choices. There are over 10 million Girl Guides and Girl Scouts in 140 countries, with over 30 countries working towards membership. Girl Guides/Girl Scouts in many countries have run awareness campaigns and community projects on sexual and reproductive health issues including adolescent pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.

Development Issues

Women, Gender, Health, Education, Rights, Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, Children.

Key Points

17 million adolescents give birth each year. These births carry high health risks for the girls themselves and for their babies. Each year, 60,000 adolescents die from childbirth and 2 to 4 million adolescents undergo abortions, the majority of which are unsafe. Over and above these statistics, early adolescent pregnancy often ends girls' education and hinders social development.