The Hidden Health Crisis: How Society Shapes the Wellbeing of Adolescent Girls

By Kafayat Busari

Fourteen-year-old Mariam wakes up before sunrise every day in a small community outside Kano. Before getting ready for school, she fetches water, cooks breakfast for her siblings, and tidies the house. By the time she reaches class, she’s already exhausted. When asked why she keeps going, she says quietly, “Because I want to be a nurse one day.”

Mariam’s story mirrors that of millions of adolescent girls whose physical and mental health are shaped not only by biology but by the expectations of the societies they live in. While conversations about women’s rights have grown louder, the unique health challenges facing young girls are often overlooked — especially in developing regions where gender inequality and limited access to healthcare intersect.

The Adolescent Transition: A Period of Vulnerability

Adolescence is a critical period of growth — physically, emotionally, and socially. Yet, it is also one of the most vulnerable stages in a girl’s life. During this time, the foundation of lifelong health is established, but so are the risks.

Many girls face barriers such as limited access to sexual and reproductive health information, inadequate nutrition, poor menstrual hygiene facilities, and a lack of emotional support. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that complications related to pregnancy and childbirth remain the leading cause of death among girls aged 15 to 19 globally.

In some parts of Africa and South Asia, adolescent girls are more likely to suffer from anemia, malnutrition, and stress related to early marriage or childbearing. These conditions are not just medical — they are social.

Menstrual Health: Still a Silent Struggle

For many girls, menstruation marks the beginning of stigma and shame. Cultural taboos and misinformation prevent open conversations about menstrual health. In rural areas, lack of access to sanitary products forces girls to use unsafe materials, leading to infections and missed school days.

According to UNICEF, one in ten African girls misses school during their menstrual period due to inadequate facilities and stigma. This absence often contributes to long-term academic gaps and reduced confidence.

Countries like Rwanda and Kenya have taken important steps by providing free sanitary pads in schools, proving that menstrual health is not a luxury — it is a right.

Promoting menstrual education and affordable hygiene products can improve both school attendance and self-esteem, allowing girls to focus on learning instead of hiding.

Mental Health: The Unseen Weight

Behind the smiles of many young girls lie silent battles with anxiety, depression, and low self-worth. The constant pressure to meet societal expectations — to be obedient, perfect, beautiful, and successful — can lead to deep emotional distress.

A 2023 WHO study revealed that adolescent girls are twice as likely as boys to experience mental health disorders, yet far less likely to receive support. Many girls internalize pain because seeking help is often seen as weakness or rebellion.

Fifteen-year-old Halima from Lagos shared, “People say girls shouldn’t complain, that we’re supposed to endure. But sometimes it feels like no one hears us.”

Mental health programs in schools and communities can play a life-saving role. Peer support clubs, safe spaces, and counseling programs help young girls express themselves without fear of judgment. When girls are emotionally supported, their academic performance, relationships, and overall health improve dramatically.

Nutrition and Body Image: A Double Burden

Adolescent girls face a double burden when it comes to nutrition. In poorer regions, many girls suffer from undernutrition due to poverty and gender-based food distribution. In contrast, urban girls often face unhealthy eating habits influenced by fast food culture and body image pressures from social media.

Globally, nearly 30% of adolescent girls are anemic, according to the World Bank. Malnutrition not only weakens immunity but also increases risks during pregnancy later in life.

Meanwhile, exposure to idealized body images online can trigger eating disorders and low self-esteem. The solution lies in balance — teaching girls about nutrition, encouraging healthy lifestyles, and challenging unrealistic beauty standards.

Healthcare Access: A Matter of Justice

Healthcare is a human right, yet for millions of girls, it remains out of reach. Distance, cost, fear of stigma, and lack of female health workers discourage girls from seeking medical help.

Community-based health programs have proven effective in bridging this gap. Mobile clinics, school health screenings, and community health educators are making a difference in many parts of Africa and Asia.

Nigeria’s “Adolescent Health Policy” emphasizes youth-friendly clinics that provide reproductive and mental health services in a confidential and supportive environment. When health systems listen to girls and prioritize accessibility, communities become stronger and healthier.

Education: The Most Powerful Prescription

Education is often the best form of healthcare. An educated girl is more likely to make informed health decisions, delay marriage, and raise healthier children. She becomes an advocate for her community’s well-being.

Every additional year of education reduces the risk of maternal death and increases income potential. Yet, over 129 million girls worldwide remain out of school, according to UNESCO.

When girls are educated, they gain not just literacy but agency — the power to make choices that protect their health and future.

Building a Healthier Future: What Can Be Done

Improving the health of adolescent girls requires a holistic approach that combines healthcare, education, and community awareness. Here’s how societies can make a difference:

Promote menstrual health education and access to hygiene products
Integrate mental health services into schools and community programs
Ensure equal nutrition and food access for girls in households
Train more female healthcare professionals and youth counselors
Support policies that prioritize adolescent health and gender equalityResilience and Hope

Despite the challenges, today’s girls are not silent. They are speaking up, creating solutions, and demanding inclusion. From teenage activists advocating for menstrual equity to young girls developing health apps in rural communities, their resilience is proof of what empowerment can achieve.

Mariam, the young girl who dreamed of becoming a nurse, now leads a girls’ health club in her school. She teaches her peers about hygiene, confidence, and self-care. Her dream is no longer just personal — it’s a vision for collective change.

Conclusion

The health of adolescent girls is a mirror of a society’s values. When we invest in their wellbeing — physical, emotional, and mental — we build a generation capable of transforming families, communities, and nations.

A healthy girl becomes a confident woman, a strong mother, and an empowered leader.

Caring for her health is not an act of charity; it is a duty, an investment, and the foundation for a healthier world.