Surge in Underage Pregnancies and Illegal Adoptions in Andhra Pradesh

  • 2025-04-16 10:49:00

1

Overview

The Andhra Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR) has raised alarms over the increasing instances of underage pregnancies and illegal adoptions in the state. Recent inspections at government hospitals, notably the Old Government General Hospital (GGH) in Vijayawada, revealed multiple cases of minor girls giving birth, highlighting systemic issues related to child marriage and inadequate monitoring.

Key Findings

1. Prevalence of Teenage Pregnancies

A study by Child Rights and You (CRY) found that 78% of child brides in Andhra Pradesh experienced teenage pregnancies — the highest among surveyed states.

The NFHS-5 (2019–21) reports that 12.6% of women aged 15–19 in Andhra Pradesh were already mothers, nearly double the national average of 6.8%.

2. Incidents of Illegal Adoptions and Child Trafficking
  • At Ongole GGH, a newborn was sold for ₹2 lakh to a childless couple.
  • An Anganwadi worker sold her newborn daughter for ₹10,000 to a couple from Khammam, Telangana.
  • APSCPCR disclosed that 60 children were rescued from illegal adoption networks.

Institutional Responses

Led by Chairman Kesali Appa Rao, APSCPCR launched awareness programs in hospitals about legal adoption procedures and the risks of unregistered adoptions.

The Juvenile Justice Committee of the Andhra Pradesh High Court demanded reports on Child Care Institutions (CCIs) after violations like unlicensed homes and poor monitoring were exposed.

Underlying Causes

  • Cultural and social pressures drive child marriage. 52% of parents see it as essential.
  • Poverty and lack of education cause high school dropout rates, increasing early pregnancy risk.

Recommendations

  • Strengthen Monitoring: 24/7 CCTV in maternity wards to stop unauthorized adoptions.
  • Legal Awareness: Promote adoption through legal channels like CARA.
  • Educational Support: Offer financial aid and academic support to reduce dropout rates.
  • Community Engagement: Work with grassroots groups to change views on child marriage and support girls' education.

Sources

  • The Hindu – APSCPCR inspections and response
  • NewsMeter – CRY Study on Child Brides
  • The New Indian Express – Ongole child trafficking case
  • The New Indian Express – ₹10,000 baby sale
  • Deccan Chronicle – Rescued children update
  • The Hindu – Legal adoption campaigns
  • The Hindu – High Court on Child Care Institutions
  • The Hindu – APSCPCR on school dropouts