1.1 Introduction
In 2016, in an effort to further the global understanding of adolescent girls’ rights, Plan International commissioned and undertook a three-country study (in Nicaragua, Zimbabwe and Pakistan) on a set of themes related to the SDGs.
These themes, which can offer insight into advancing the rights of adolescent girls, included: girls’ enabling environment, care and domestic work in the home, education quality and value, early pregnancy, child and early marriage, violence against girls, safety in public places, social relations, and interpersonal communications.
The aim of this research is to understand not only the day-to-day reality for the girls interviewed, but also to gain insight into their thoughts on how things should be. Asked whether they thought they should have more opportunities to get on in life and achieve their life goals, the girls surveyed in all three countries overwhelmingly answered: “yes”.
This technical research report presents the analysis and findings from Pakistan, the first country where data collection was conducted. Additional reports present the analyses and findings from Zimbabwe and Nicaragua.