Thu Jun 19 22:30:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a rewrite as a news article:

**Summary:**

A long-term study (“Young Lives”) tracking children in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana since 2002 reveals persistent issues of early marriage and teenage pregnancy, despite overall economic growth and some improvement over time. Poverty, lack of access to education and healthcare, and societal norms contribute to the problem, particularly among tribal communities. While interventions like residential schools and economic growth have had some positive impact, the study highlights the need for greater investment in social development to truly address the inequalities faced by vulnerable young girls. The study also shows the stories of two women. Mona, who married and started her own family at 20, and Jiya, who is career-focused and intends to get married in a few years.

**News Article:**

**Early Marriage Persists Despite Economic Growth in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Study Finds**

*Hyderabad, June 20, 2025* – A longitudinal study spanning over two decades reveals that early marriage and teenage pregnancy remain significant challenges in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, despite both states experiencing considerable economic growth. The “Young Lives” study, which began in 2002, tracked the lives of 3,000 children from infancy, documenting their education, work, and family lives.

The study, released in Hyderabad on May 30th, highlights the disproportionate impact of poverty and limited access to education and healthcare on young girls, particularly in tribal communities. Researchers found that in Telangana, 20% of women were married before the age of 18, and 28% had a child before turning 19. These figures, while showing gradual improvement compared to the older cohort, demonstrate the continuing prevalence of early marriage and motherhood.

“While we’ve seen economic progress in both states, the benefits haven’t reached everyone,” said E. Revathi, director of the Centre for Economic and Social Studies and lead investigator of the study in India. “The burden of inequality continues to fall on the most vulnerable, limiting their educational and economic prospects.”

The study highlights the effectiveness of interventions such as social welfare residential schools, which provide free education and boarding for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. These schools have significantly reduced the likelihood of marriage before the age of 18.

However, NGOs working on the ground emphasize that the threat of child marriage still looms large. K. Dhanasekharan, chairman of ROPES, noted that his organization has stopped over 200 child marriages in the Bangarupalem-Palamaner belt in the last two years alone.

Researchers stress that sustained investment in social development is crucial to bridge the gap between economic growth and the well-being of vulnerable populations. The “Young Lives” study serves as a stark reminder that addressing inequality requires a multi-faceted approach that prioritizes education, healthcare, and empowerment for young girls.

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