Globally, it is estimated that 14 Million adolescents between the age of 15 and 19 give birth. Uncounted others are even younger when they have babies. On average, one third of young women in developing countries give birth before age 20 (UNFPA, 2012). Regionally, adolescent childbearing is most prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that more than 50% of all African adolescent girls give birth by age 20 (WHO 2010).
In Sierra Leone, teenage pregnancy is one of the more pervasive problems affecting the health, social, economic and political progress and empowerment of women and girls. 34% of all pregnancies occur amongst teenage girls and 40% of maternal death occur as a result of teenage pregnancy.