08/06/2025
Ethiopia Launches Roadmap to Reduce Teenage Pregnancy: A National Call for Action
On June 5, 2025, Ethiopia took a monumental step toward safeguarding the health and future of its adolescents with the official launch of the Teenage Pregnancy Reduction Roadmap 2025–2030. The high-level event, held at Hyatt Regency, brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Women and Social Affairs, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Planning and Development, along with development partners and civil society organizations.
The event served as both the official launch of the roadmap and a signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the collaborating ministries. The roadmap outlines a multi-sectoral approach to addressing the country’s high rates of teenage pregnancy, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among adolescents in Ethiopia.
The program featured presentations highlighting the severity of adolescent health challenges, with a focus on the critical role of teenage pregnancy in impeding educational opportunities and exposing young girls to significant health risks. Stakeholders discussed root causes, including social, economic, and cultural drivers, and identified strategic interventions aimed at prevention, protection, and empowerment.
Participants pledged their commitment to cross-sectoral collaboration, community engagement, and evidence-based action to drive down adolescent pregnancy rates. Among the key priorities were comprehensive sexuality education, youth-friendly reproductive health services, and strengthening policies that protect the rights of adolescents—particularly girls.
The Ethiopian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ESOG), as a key stakeholder in adolescent and reproductive health, stands committed to supporting the implementation of this strategic plan through clinical, research, and advocacy efforts and recommends localization of the efforts to end teenage pregnancy. We join our partners in celebrating this vital milestone and reaffirm our dedication to ensuring that every Ethiopian adolescent has the opportunity to grow, thrive, and lead a healthy, empowered life.
Together, we can end teenage pregnancy and build a healthier future for Ethiopia’s youth.