Adolescent Girls in LMICs: Evidence on Development Outcomes, Approaches, Opportunities and Challenges

This K4DD Rapid Evidence Review surveys the conditions for adolescent girls in LMICs in areas of physical health (with much of the literature focused on sexual and reproductive health-SRH), mental health and well-being, education, physical security and violence, poverty, voice and agency.

It also explores outcomes of interventions in these areas aimed at improving welfare and opportunities for adolescent girls. The review draws on a mix of policy, practitioner, NGO and academic literature, drawing in large part on a range of systematic reviews.

Adolescence is widely recognised as a significant and distinct life phase. It is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF as the period between childhood and adulthood, from 10-19 years of age, segmented between early adolescence (10-14 years) and late adolescence (15-19 years) (WHO, 2024; UNICEF, 2021).