EFFECT OF EARLY MARRIAGE IN GOMBE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, GOMBE STATE

ABSTRACT The study on the effects of early marriage in Gombe Local Government Area, Gombe State, Nigeria, found that the prevalence of this practice is alarmingly high, with over 40% of girls married before the age of 18, and the consequences are far-reaching and devastating, impacting the lives of young girls, their families, and the broader community. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, including a comprehensive literature review to examine the global and regional trends in early marriage, as well as the factors contributing to its persistence in the study area. followed by a quantitative survey of 300 households in Gombe LGA, which collected data on marriage patterns, educational attainment, health outcomes, and socioeconomic indicators, an in-depth interviews with early married women, their spouses, community leaders, and key stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the personal experiences and sociocultural dynamics surrounding early marriage. The study identified several key factors contributing to the high rates of early marriage, including poverty, cultural norms, lack of educational opportunities, and limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, and the consequences were wide-ranging and severe, including higher rates of school dropout, maternal and child mortality, domestic violence, and intergenerational cycles of" poverty. The findings of this study have significant implications for policymakers, community leaders, and civil society organizations working to address the issue of early marriage, and the study recommends a multi-pronged approach that combines targeted interventions to empower girls, engage communities, strengthen legal and policy frameworks, and improve access 10 education and health services to effectively address this pressing problem in Gombe LGA and similar contexts.