A systematic review explores the relationship between adolescent empowerment and contraceptive use. The findings suggest that empowerment-focused interventions, particularly those addressing sexual and reproductive health, can significantly increase contraceptive uptake among adolescents and young women. However, evidence of their effectiveness in reducing unprotected sex and adolescent pregnancy remains limited.
The review also highlights a critical gap: few studies examine how access to contraception itself may contribute to young women’s empowerment and agency.
To advance reproductive autonomy and economic equity, stronger research on long-term outcomes and youth-specific policies in low- and middle-income countries is essential.
Investing in adolescent empowerment through comprehensive, evidence-based initiatives remains key to supporting informed choices and enabling the next generation to shape their own futures.
Read the full paper here: https://srh.bmj.com/content/familyplanning/early/2024/03/13/bmjsrh-2023-202151.full.pdf
