
This report makes three key recommendations on action we can take now to advance adolescent girls’ rights at scale, in ways that account for fiscally constrained contexts and multiple competing priorities:
1. Ensure tangible and actionable support for adolescent girls’ voices, advocacy and action. The current generation of girls are raising their voices to be heard and are already at the forefront of making change around the world. With the right support, resources and seats at the table, adolescent girls can help transform the world for the better, shaping better policy outcomes for themselves and everyone. This is not about girls’ voices above all others, or endless consultation, but about specific, meaningful actions that ensure girls get the support they need and are heard on policy issues that matter to them.
2. Establish and track explicit targets for change for adolescent girls, who are too often invisible and sidelined Setting explicit targets to monitor outcomes for adolescent girls is key to making progress. Context-specific prioritization will be necessary, but there are some issues that stand out globally. Gaps in progress (such as child marriage gains accruing disproportionately to wealthier households) demonstrate the need forprogrammes that address poverty and economic realities alongside harmful social norms. The disproportionate number of adolescent girls not in education, employment or training, not entering the labour market as young women, and left behind when it comes to digital skills, is a threat to the gains made for girls and to economic growth that will benefit everyone. Stagnation on issues like underweight also stand out. Country- specific priorities supported by data- driven accountability mechanisms and investments are needed to translate policy commitments into change on the ground.
3. Resource and deliver smartly to unlock the social and economic dividend Governments and partners should invest in solutions proven to change outcomes across multiple SDGs at scale – for example, investing in education and skills, cash transfers and economic empowerment programmes designed to support girls. Existing systems, from maternal health care to school curricula, should be adapted to meet girls’ needs rather than creating small- scale, separate projects. Streamlined, evidence-based ‘add-ons’ – such as adding parenting support to existing maternal health-care programmes – can be cost effective and accelerate outcomes if well designed.
Change is possible, and this report shows that great gains have been made. Smart investments now can transform the world for girls, families, communities and national economies. It is time to act.