This report was prepared by Marie Habito, Julie Hennegan, Elissa Kennedy, and Peter Azzopardi, Burnet Institute.The authors gratefully acknowledge research partners from Indochina Research Limited
(Lao PDR), namely, Dr Romyen Kosaikanont, Kiaosamphan Rasphone, Saysamone Phantachith, andToulavan Sihanath for their valuable contributions to data collection and analysis.

We are grateful to working group membersTej Ram Jat, Syvongsay Changpitikoun, Wipavee Silpitaksakul, PhoudthachanhTonpheng, Vongphachan Xaiyalad, especiallyYouth Advisors Maynika Phongsa and Moukthida Souphanthachith for sharing their expertise, local knowledge and insights throughout the implementation of this study.

Sincere thanks to UNFPA Representative in Lao PDR Ms Mariam Khan, UNICEF Representative in Lao PDR Dr Pia Rebello Britto and the UNFPA and UNICEF Country Offices for their support for this study. We are likewise grateful to Maria Sousa Magalhaes Sousa Lemos, Eugene Baek and Sylvia Wong, Shreyasi Jha and Younghwa Choi who reviewed and provided feedback on an earlier version of this report.

We are also grateful to Jo Sauvarin, Maki Akiyama, and Gerda Binder for their contributions to the conceptualization and overall guidance of this project.

Finally – our deepest thanks to the girls who shared their life experiences with us.

Prepared for UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Office and UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office by:

Burnet Institute

85 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia +61 3 9282 2111
www.burnet.edu.au