Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Teenage Pregnancies in Brazil
Introduction
A girl aged 14 or less gave birth every 37 minutes last year in Brazil. There were 14,265 births by girls in this age group in 2022, according to data from the Health Ministry. The figures far exceed the global average: Brazil has 53 pregnant teenagers per 1,000, compared to 41 worldwide.
Trends in Teenage Pregnancies
Although it is a high rate, the number of cases has been steadily decreasing in the last few years. They have fallen by half over the last decade as a result of health and sexual education policies, which still face resistance in a society in which it is relatively common to see young girls having relationships with older men and in which cases of sexual violence mainly affect children.
Child Marriages in Brazil
Brazil is the fifth country in the world in child marriages. According to NGO Girls Not Brides, around 36 percent of the Brazilian female population under 18 years old are married or live in a stable union. An example of how normalized this dynamic can be: Caetano Veloso, one of the most famous modern Brazilian singers, started dating his current wife when she was 13 and he was 40.
Sexual Violence against Minors
Half of the cases of sexual violence against minors are faced by girls aged between 10 and 14. More than 1,300 cases involving this age group alone are recorded each month — although most cases go unreported.
Legal Framework and Abortion
According to a 1940 law still standing, any sexual relationship with people up to 14 years old falls under the Brazilian definition of statutory rape — one of the few circumstances in which an abortion is allowed. In addition to rape, the law also allows pregnancy terminations when the mother’s life is in jeopardy or for anencephalic fetuses.
However, the reduction in cases of pregnant girls in the last decade is not directly linked to more abortions — at least considering those carried out within the law. Legal abortions of girls aged 14 and under quadrupled between 2011 and 2020, but still remain a tiny fraction of the total number of teenage pregnancies.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
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SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- Indicator: Number of births by girls aged 14 or less.
- Indicator: Number of cases of sexual violence against minors.
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SDG 4: Quality Education
- Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- Indicator: Availability of health and sexual education policies.
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SDG 5: Gender Equality
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
- Indicator: Percentage of the female population under 18 years old who are married or in a stable union.
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SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Indicator: Number of cases of sexual violence against minors.
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SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
- Indicator: Number of cases of sexual violence against minors.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | – Number of births by girls aged 14 or less. – Number of cases of sexual violence against minors. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | – Availability of health and sexual education policies. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. | – Percentage of the female population under 18 years old who are married or in a stable union. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – Number of cases of sexual violence against minors. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | – Number of cases of sexual violence against minors. |
Analysis:
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Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to the following SDGs:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
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What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
The specific targets identified based on the article’s content are:
- Target 3.7: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- Target 4.7: Ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles.
- Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early, and forced marriage.
- Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
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Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be
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Source: brazilian.report
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