Socio-economic consequences of early Pregnancy in Latin America and The Caribbean: A Call for Policy Action
Every year, teenage pregnancy generates losses of more than USD 13 billion in Latin America and the Caribbean, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. This event, within the framework of CSW69, will present the updated findings of the MILENA model and will seek commitments to promote innovative solutions and funding aimed at protecting girls and promoting their full development.
Event date:
March 10, 2025
In person
Thirty years after the Beijing Platform for Action, the struggle to guarantee the rights of girls and adolescents continues to be urgent in Latin America and the Caribbean. Thousands of girls face unwanted pregnancies, child marriages and limited access to education, situations that affect their autonomy and well-being, and generate enormous economic costs for the countries of the region.
At this high-level side event during CSW69, government leaders, international organizations and civil society representatives will present the new results of the MILENA model, which calculates the social and economic costs of adolescent pregnancy in the region. With figures exceeding USD 13 billion annually in losses, MILENA provides compelling evidence to accelerate concrete actions, strengthen innovative financing mechanisms and secure government commitments that prioritize gender equality and adolescent development
Date: Monday, March 10, 2025
Time: 3:00 p.m. (pending confirmation from PM Panama)
Venue: Conference Room F, United Nations Headquarters
Registration is mandatory. Those without UN accreditation must register by March 6 using the form below in order to receive accreditation.
Online participation:
People attending virtually can join via Zoom:
🔗 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84624851199?pwd=VufWbY6AFH89j3ebstkaGaqrSB3H18.1
Simultaneous interpretation:
Simultaneous interpretation will be available through Zoom.
For in-person attendees, a QR code will be provided to access the interpretation on their mobile devices.
Agenda
March 10, 2025
Opening Remarks
Speakers:
Niurka del Carmen Palacio Urriola
Minister of Women of Panama
Diene Keita
Deputy Executive Director for Programme, UNFPA
Niurka del Carmen Palacio Urriola
Minister of Women of Panama
Diene Keita
Deputy Executive Director for Programme, UNFPA
Presentation and Launch of the MILENA and the Zero Adolescent Pregnancy Movement
Speakers:
Susana Sottoli
Regional Director of the UNFPA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Cindy Quesada Hernández
Minister of Women's Affairs of Costa Rica
Susana Sottoli
Regional Director of the UNFPA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean
Cindy Quesada Hernández
Minister of Women's Affairs of Costa Rica
Strategic reflections
Speakers:
Jennifer Carroll MacNeil
Minister for Health, Ireland
Olivier Maes
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations
Jennifer Carroll MacNeil
Minister for Health, Ireland
Olivier Maes
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations
Open dialogue
Closing Remarks
Speakers:
Ana Baiardi
Manager of Gender, Inclusion, and Diversity at CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
Mayra Jiménez
Minister of Women, Dominican Republic
Ana Baiardi
Manager of Gender, Inclusion, and Diversity at CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
Ana María Baiardi has also served as Paraguay’s Ambassador to Peru and as a member of the Qualifications Council at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was Minister for Women in Paraguay and Vice President of the Inter-American Commission of Women at the OAS, among other diplomatic roles. Baiardi holds a degree in Systems Analysis from Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción. She has completed various postgraduate studies, including a Master’s in Interdisciplinary Intervention in Gender-Based Violence and Equality Operations from the International University of Valencia, among others.
Mayra Jiménez
Minister of Women, Dominican Republic
