Early Marriages in Lower‐Middle‐Income Countries: A Serious Threat to Maternal–Child Health and Socio‐Economic Sustainable Development

ABSTRACT Early marriage is a violation of human rights, prevalent in lower‐middle‐income countries, and offers many challenges to achieve the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. This harmful practice is well‐anchored in poverty, cultural norms, illiteracy, and gender inequality. Financial constraints push parents to marry off their teenage daughters, considering economic assistance and social security. Unintended pregnancies, high risk of cervical cancer, vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases, painful delivery, depression, domestic violence, and suicides are serious problems faced by child mothers. Babies born to young mothers also face many health complications including preterm delivery, low birth weight, malnutrition, and developmental problems. High prevalence of early marriages in financially struggling countries impedes efforts to promote gender equality, quality education, and positive health effects, all essential for sustainable development. Resolving this social health issue calls for targeted interventions including education, community awareness, and strict implementation of child marriage laws to break this cycle.