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.

Register here

 

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.

 

CAF at CSW69

Agenda

March 10, 2025

    Opening Remarks

    Speakers:

    Minister of Women of Panama

    Deputy Executive Director for Programme, UNFPA

    Niurka del Carmen Palacio Urriola

    Cerrar modal
    Niurka del Carmen Palacio Urriola

    Minister of Women of Panama

    Diene Keita

    Cerrar modal
    Diene Keita

    Deputy Executive Director for Programme, UNFPA

    Presentation and Launch of the MILENA and the Zero Adolescent Pregnancy Movement

    Speakers:

    Regional Director of the UNFPA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

    Minister of Women's Affairs of Costa Rica

    Susana Sottoli

    Cerrar modal
    Susana Sottoli

    Regional Director of the UNFPA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

    Cindy Quesada Hernández

    Cerrar modal
    Cindy Quesada Hernández

    Minister of Women's Affairs of Costa Rica

    Strategic reflections

    Speakers:

    Minister for Health, Ireland

    Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations

    Jennifer Carroll MacNeil

    Cerrar modal
    Jennifer Carroll MacNeil

    Minister for Health, Ireland

    Olivier Maes

    Cerrar modal
    Olivier Maes

    Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations

    Open dialogue

    Closing Remarks

    Speakers:

    Manager of Gender, Inclusion, and Diversity at CAF – development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean

    Minister of Women, Dominican Republic

    Ana Baiardi

    Cerrar modal
    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

    Cerrar modal
    Mayra Jiménez

    Minister of Women, Dominican Republic