Underage Pregnancies: Underage pregnancies, child marriages in Tamil Nadu derail young lives

In 2022, two teenage girls, Amudha and Swetha, are facing underage pregnancies and child marriages in low-income communities in Chennai. Amudha, who is pregnant with her second child at 17, eloped and married her husband Senthil at a young age. Swetha, who is three months pregnant, plans to marry Charan, a sanitary worker. These situations are often unreported as families try to cope with the consequences. Lack of awareness about safe sex and contraception among teenagers is a major issue, leading to underage pregnancies. Efforts are being made to raise awareness and prevent such situations through education and outreach programs in the community.