Let's not Glamorise Adolescent Pregnancies

Dear Shirli Ling,

I write to you as someone who has met thousands of young mothers and have listened from them how bearing a child at young age has had devastating effects on their mental and physical health, prospects of education as well as contribution to workforce.

You recently announced on your instagram post that you’ve become a grandmother at 35.?

“Becoming a grandma at that young age (35 years) was both good and bad. Depends on how you look at it and how you manage it,” you said.

Multiple studies and anecdotal evidence tells us that there is nothing “good” about becoming a mother at 17 or a grandmother at 35.?

In large parts of the world, the pregnancy of a child is treated with disdain and associated with chastity, virtue and honour.

Against this backdrop, in many societies, child pregnancies result in child marriages.

Adolescent pregnancies also have terrible consequences on health of young mothers.

Among girls aged 15-19, pregnancy-related complications are the leading cause of death. ?

Girls under 15 years of age face a four-fold higher risk of maternal death compared to women aged 20-24 years.

Adolescent mothers are at higher risk of getting HIV than their unmarried counterparts.

Long-term consequences of adolescent pregnancies include suicidal thoughts, guilt, loneliness, worry and stress.

Numerous studies and on ground work of grassroots organisations working on child rights or gender or education have documented that adolescent pregnancies force girls to leave schools, therefore, reducing their earning potential. This, in turn, leaves them vulnerable to abuse in relationship.

?As a popular actress with huge following, you are a role model for many and your words carry weight.

You can use your influence to put the issue of adolescent motherhood—something you’ve personally experienced as a 17 year-old mother--in global perspective.

I urge you to be more responsible and not glamorise early motherhood as it will impact the global fight on child marriage and child sexual abuse.

Bhuwan Ribhu,

Child Rights Activist, Lawyer and Author,

New Delhi