Child marriage and early child-bearing in India: risk factors and policy implications

The brief uses data collected from 3,000 children over 15 years in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, to provide evidence and strengthen policies and programmes in this area.

It highlights that child marriage and early pregnancy are rooted in patriarchal norms that shape the role and value of women and girls in society. It also shows that poverty and social disadvantage are critical causes that limit girls' opportunities, reinforce the risks that they face, and constraint families to maintain practices that align with norms in place in society.

Young Lives advocates for a layered strategy to address disadvantages that drive child marriage and early pregnancy, and that girls face because they are girls.