Even today, girls aged 15-17 get married in India despite a law that states they should delay marriage until l age 18. Once married, young couples are expected to quickly become pregnant, although many young women are not physically and mentally ready for pregnancy and childbearing. Children born to young mothers face increased risk of mortality and poor health outcomes. There is little room for negotiation, whether between couples or with the family, and contraceptive use to delay the first pregnancy is frowned upon. There is, however, strong evidence that enabling young women and couples to delay their first pregnancy and improve spacing practices can reap a triple dividend of health and social benefits for young people today, and as they become the next general on.
Publications
The Next Generation: YUVAA
India
