UNFPA collaborates with public and private partners to reduce teen pregnancies in Thailand

When a girl becomes pregnant, her life can change radically. Her education may end and her job prospects diminish. She becomes more vulnerable to poverty and exclusion, and her health often suffers. In Thailand, UNFPA is collaborating with both public and private partners, including the Thai Department of Health and Reckitt, to address adolescent pregnancies, and data over the years has shown positive outcomes thanks to progressive legislation.

The largest national survey on the situation of children and women in Thailand, released by the National Statistical Office (NSO), shows a significant drop in adolescent birth rates, which decreased from 23 per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years in 2019 to 18 per 1,000 women in 2022.

Dr. Asa Torkelsson, country director of UNFPA in Thailand and representative of UNFPA in Malaysia, believes that there is more work to be done. “A more holistic approach is required to support girls’ rights and to empower them to avoid adolescent pregnancy. Such an approach should include age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education for all young people, the building of gender-equitable societies by empowering girls and engaging men and boys, and measures to ensure access to sexual and reproductive health information as well as services that welcome them and facilitate their choices,” she says. Ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child, marked annually on 11 October, Asa Torkelsson, spoke to UN News and explained how the UN is supporting access to sexual and reproductive health, especially for young people. Read Dr. Torkelsson’s complete interview here.

The global partnership between Reckitt and UNFPA is built on the shared belief that sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and young people can be achieved when interventions are designed with a life-cycle approach involving all stakeholders as participants. When women and girls can live safe and healthy lives, they can unlock their full potential.

UNFPA in Thailand is working with Reckitt to ensure women and girls from all communities have access to information and care for their sexual and reproductive health. The partnership aims to support government efforts and to ensure young people enjoy their rights, especially those living in remote areas, in ethnic communities, and those living under the poverty line. With support from Reckitt, UNFPA has reached over 30,000 pregnant women and adolescent mothers in Thailand. Alongside ensuring access to information, the programmes with Reckitt also include training of voluntary traditional birth attendants, and distribution of mobile birth delivery kits.

“Through the 'Empowering Our Youth' project, Reckitt is actively supporting UNFPA’s work in Thailand consecutively from 2022 to 2026. The private sector has a responsibility towards the sustainable development goals, and our collaboration with UNFPA in Thailand is promoting good health and wellbeing alongside gender equality,” says Hamzah Sarwar, Global Social Impact and Partnerships Director at Reckitt.