Save the Children & Very Young Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health: An overview

Save the Children recognizes that very young adolescents (VYA) from 10 to 14 years of age represent a unique subgroup of adolescents who are experiencing one of the most critical transitions in life. Physical, cognitive and emotional changes lead to new roles for them in the family and community due to gendered expectations and individual exploration of their sexuality. For too many girls, this transition marks the end of their schooling and the start of gender-based violence, early marriage and childbearing. Boys are often expected to focus on learning or income generation for their families. Both girl and boy VYAs need knowledge, skills and social support to form the positive behaviours that can affect their current and future health and well-being and prevent risks, including early, unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections and gender-based violence.

Taking a lifecycle approach, Save the Children prioritizes VYA as a key target group among which to lay the foundation for healthy and safe sexual and reproductive health. This document presents Save the Children’s key programs as well as overall strategy to address the needs of VYA.