,

k RESEARCH REPORT

ADOLESCENTS IN URBAN SETTINGS

OF

KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA PROVINCE

SUBMITTED BY: SOCIETY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 RESEARCH ON
BEING AN ADOLESCENT IN URBAN AREAS OF KHYBER
PAKHTUNKHWA
Contents
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................................................................9
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...............................................................................................................................10
Literature Review..................................................................................................................................14
METHODOLOGY.........................................................................................................................................17
Study Design..........................................................................................................................................17
Sampling for Quantitative survey..........................................................................................................17
Sampling for Qualitative Study..............................................................................................................20
Data Collection Plan...............................................................................................................................20
Challenges during the field work:..........................................................................................................23
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY..................................................................................................................24
RESULTS.....................................................................................................................................................25
SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF ADOLESCENTS’ LIVES:.........................................................................................27
Household characteristics and living arrangements...............................................................................27
Parents – Adolescents Relationship.......................................................................................................28
Socio political environment:..................................................................................................................30
Future goals and aspirations:.................................................................................................................31
Recreational activities............................................................................................................................32
EDUCATION:..............................................................................................................................................35
Adolescents’ educational institution experiences:.................................................................................35
Trend of Madrassa education:................................................................................................................37
Corporal punishments:...........................................................................................................................37
Vocational training Opportunities:........................................................................................................40
HEALTH:.....................................................................................................................................................43
General health.......................................................................................................................................43
Sexual and Reproductive Health: (15-19 Years)....................................................................................44
Early Age Marriage:...................................................................................................................................48
Health Seeking Behavior.......................................................................................................................50
CHILD LABOR:............................................................................................................................................53
Type of work segregation by gender.....................................................................................................54
Control and Utilization of Income:........................................................................................................55
ABUSE........................................................................................................................................................57
 Physical abuse and sexual harassment...................................................................................................57
Substance abuse:....................................................................................................................................58
DISCUSSIONS.............................................................................................................................................59
RECOMMENDATIONS................................................................................................................................65
Bibliography...............................................................................................................................................67
ANNEXURE.................................................................................................................................................70
LIST OF TABLES

Table 1.1: Location of interviews taken from adolescents 10-19 (percentage)

Table 1.2: Number of non-responsiveness among male and female adolescents (number)
Table 1.3: Residential status of Adolescents 10-19 (%)
Table 1.4: Adolescents (10-19) living arrangements (percentage)
Table 1.5: Religion of the adolescents 10-19 (percentage)
Table 1.6: Residential status of adolescents 10-19 by religion (percentage)
Table 1.7: Adolescents living arrangements 10-19 (percentage)
Table 1.8: Structure of the house of the adolescents who were living in home (percentage)
Table 1.9: Family members living with adolescents 10-19 (percentage)
Table 1.10: Access to basic facilities
Table 1.11: Parent’s status of the adolescents 10-19 (percentage)
Table 1.12: Living arrangements of adolescents 10-19 (percentage)
Table 1.13: Adolescents’ current involvement at the time of interview (percentage)
Table 1.14: Correlation between the family members of the adolescents and their working
status (percentage)
Table 1.15: Reasons the adolescents stated for living without parents and siblings
(percentage)
Table 1.16: In time of need adolescents consult (percentage)
Table 1.17: Correlation of Parents status with adolescents’ current involvement at the time
of interview (percentage)
Table 1.18: (%) of respondents feeling scared while going out unaccompanied
Table 1.19: Reasons for feeling scared while going out alone (percentage)
Table 1.20: Barriers in achieving dream profession according to the adolescents
(percentage)
Table 1.21: Adolescents spending their free time with (percentage)
Table 1.22: Availability of recreational facility (percentage)
Table 1.23: Affordability of recreational facilities (percentage)
Table 1.24: Adolescents owning a mobile set (percentage)
Table 1.25: Correlation of 15-19 adolescents owning a mobile with their control over
income (percentage)
Table 2.1: Correlation of parent’s status with the adolescents who are studying
(percentage)
Table 2.2: Correlation of adolescents who are not attending any educational institutions
with their knowledge regarding available educational institutions in their areas
(percentage)
Table 2.3: Correlation between non studying adolescents with their wish to study
(percentage)
Table 2.4: Availability of facilities in educational institution of the adolescents who were
visiting schools and madrassas (multiple responses-%)
Table 2.5: Proportion of Adolescents going to madrassas (percentage)
Table 2.6: Corporal punishment experienced by adolescents who visited schools and
madrassas (percentage)
Table 2.7: Reasons stated by adolescents for dropout and not going to educational
institution (multiple responses - percentage)
Table 2.8: Knowledge about vocational training institute (percentage)
Table 3.1: Major reason given by adolescents (10-19) for their hospitalization (percentage)
Table 3.2: Percentage of adolescents (10-19) who have entered puberty
Table 3.3: Percentage of Adolescents who were informed about puberty related
changes beforehand
Table 3.4: Percentage of adolescents involved in sexual activities
Table 3.5: Reasons for first sexual encounter (percentage)
Table 3.6: Awareness about contraception among adolescents involved in sexual activity
(%)
Table 3.7: Awareness about HIV and AIDS among adolescents involved in sexual activity
(percentage)
Table 4.1: Married adolescents according to gender and age (percentage)
Table 4.2: Married adolescents having children (percentage)
Table 4.3: Unmarried Female Adolescents (15-19) currently involved in at the time of
interview (percentage)
Table 4.4: Health-seeking behavior of married female adolescents who experienced
abortion (percentage)
Table 5.1: Adolescents correct knowledge about minimum age of work
Table 5.2: Type of work the adolescent were involved in according to gender (percentage)
Table 5.3: Working hours in child labor (percentage)
Table 5.4: Percentage of Adolescents who get paid for their work
Table 5.5: Monthly income of adolescents who get paid for their work (percentage)
Table 5.6: Control over income of working adolescents who get paid for their work (%)
Table 5.7: Utilization of income by adolescents (percentage)
Table 6.1: Physical abuse and harassment experienced by adolescents (percentage)
Table 6.2: Offender of indecently touching the adolescent (percentage)
Table 6.3: Help seeking behavior of adolescents during violence at home (percentage)
Table 6.4: Help seeking behavior of adolescents during violence in educational institution
(percentage)
Table 6.5: Adolescents usage of substance by type (percentage)
Table 6.6: Correlation of adolescent’s current involvement with their use of substance (%)
LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Sources of RH information

ACRONYMS

KPK Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

CPWC Child Protection and Welfare Commission

CPU Child Protection Units

SRH Sexual and Reproductive Health

IDP Internally displaced people

UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund

STD Sexually transmitted disease

HIV Human Immuno-deficiency Virus

AIDS Acquired Immuno-deficiency Syndrome

MOH Ministry of Health

UC Union Council

LIA Low income Areas

PSU Primary Sampling Unit

SSU Secondary Sampling Unit

DIC Drop in centers

FGDs Focus Group Discussions

IDIs In-Depth Interviews

DEO District Education Officer

EDO Executive District Officer

DHO District Health Officer

DIKHAN Dera Ismail Khan

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful for the constant support we received from child protection and welfare
commission, KP. We are particularly thankful to Dr.Murad Ali Afridi (Chief-Child Protection
and Welfare Commission) for his valuable input and support throughout the research. We also
thank the Child protection officers who supported and facilitated meetings with the government
officials needed for the research.

We also appreciate the guidance from Ms.Gillian and Mr. Sohail from United Nations Children’s
Fund.

We would like to thank the ministries for their generous time and support. These included the
ministry of education, health and social welfare. We are also indebted to diverse people, agencies
and stakeholders in Abbottabad, Swat, Dera Ismail Khan, Mardan and Peshawar.

We would like to express a deep sense of gratitude to our research consultants who worked
tirelessly to bring quality into this research.

We appreciate the hard work of our enumerators who ensured efficient and timely completion of
the field work.

Last but not the least; we are also obliged to all our respondents who provided valuable
information during the course of study.

CEO

Society for Sustainable Development.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This study uses the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) age definition of adolescence as
the second decade of life, and follows the conventional bifurcation of adolescents into early (10-
14 years) and late (15-19 years) groups. Over the last two decades all parts of Pakistan and
especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) have witnessed a rapid urbanization of our rural society
and much is driven by migration

The objectives of the study were to gather information about the major dimensions of the
adolescent’s life and well-being and to carry out in-depth analysis of aspirations, hopes, fears and
determinations of adolescents in urban settings.

A mixed methodological study was conducted in five urban districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
(KPK), namely Abbottabad, Dera Ismail Khan (DI Khan), Swat, Mardan, and Peshawar and a
multi staged random sampling was conducted. Two set of questionnaire were designed for the
quantitative part of the study (10-14 and 15-19) and discussion points were prepared for the
qualitative part.

The social dimensions of the low income adolescents stated that many of them lived in crowded
spaces having limited basic facilities and their issues were different from rural adolescents as
housing was expensive in the cities. Educational opportunities though were free of cost but the
cost of uniform, travelling and other necessities impede their schooling. Many were involved in
child labor along with education and some were solely working full time. Financial constraints
hindered many of their opportunities where the females were getting married at an early age and
also involved in domestic labor while the males were working in shops and workshops.
Financially they were exploited to such extent that majority of them were earning less than a
dollar per day. Female mobility was restricted where they spend most of their time at home while
the male adolescents had no such restrictions, but still it was not that useful as there were
minimal recreational facilities for them.

The recommendations for the policy makers include strengthening the evidence base on child
protection and to ensure that data is used to improve laws policies and practices. The mindset of
families and communities should be the focus of change, so that attitude, beliefs and practices
that harm children will no longer be tolerated.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

The population cohort usually classified as adolescent – those between the ages of 10 and 19
years – spans a range of formative experiences [ CITATION UNI11 \l 1033 ]. Legal and
programmatic definitions of adolescence, or the second decade in human life, are premised on
inter-connected life cycle transitions along different dimensions: biological, psychological, social
and cultural[ CITATION Bha \l 1033 ] . It is a phase separate from both early childhood and
adulthood. It is a transitional period that requires special attention and protection. Physically,
children go through a number of transitions while they mature and the brain undergoes a lot of
developments in early adolescence, which affect emotional skills as well as physical and mental
abilities. During early adolescence a window of opportunity presents itself to intervene before
individuals solidify reject or transform their ideas about gender roles and norms [ CITATION
Ela13 \l 1033 ].

Urbanization is a process in which the economy shifts in a way where the work force changes
from agriculture sector to a high productive sector like manufacturing and consequently
generating alarming problems for the people by depriving them of access to essential basic
needs. It is also observed that the poor try to urbanize faster as compared to the whole population
and this urbanization process leads toward the emergence of urban poverty [ CITATION Awa10 \l
1033 ].

Over the last two decades all parts of Pakistan and especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) have
witnessed a rapid urbanization of our rural society and much is driven by migration. Afghans
fled to Pakistani cities especially the border cities, to escape war back home. Due to the law and
order situation Pakistanis, many are entering cities to escape war, insecurity, natural disasters,
and also to seek better services along with new livelihoods [ CITATION Kug13 \l 1033 ]. As the
development has taken place primarily from agricultural to industrial economy, large scale rural
to urban migration has taken place, changing the face of our cities as well as villages. The
concentration of more people in urban areas is regarded as one of the major threat to health and
environment today [ CITATION Ari10 \l 1033 ]. Unfortunately, urbanization also has economic
consequences like the rising city populations, and the consequent high demand for low-income
urban employment which is devastating for the already constrained job market. Additionally,
increased city populations are wearing out the state’s ability to provide basic services such as
housing, electricity, clean water and healthcare for the population [ CITATION Ari10 \l 1033 ]
[ CITATION Kug13 \l 1033 ].

Like other provinces of the country, KPK has also experienced a steady growth in its urban
population 505000 in 1951 to 2994000 in 1998 (Pakistan Censes report, 2008), most because of
economic reasons, natural disasters and conflict situations in some parts of province. This city-
effect has triggered a rapid urbanization across KPK, coupled with rapid slumization and
environmental degradation.

Adolescents in Pakistan represent a sizeable proportion of the population. Statistics indicate that
there are approximately 39 million adolescents aged between 10 and 19 years old [ CITATION
UNI13 \l 1033 ] , many of whom do not currently benefit from the equitable realization of their
fundamental rights. In addition, limited access to educational resources and basic services,
climate change and cyclical natural hazards, rapid urbanization, the economic recession and
rising unemployment as well as reduced opportunity to actively participate in the decision-
making processes affecting their lives and environment, increases the risk of social exclusion and
pose unprecedented challenges to young people in Pakistan. The effects on child labor, youth
unemployment, crime, violence, drug use, smoking, smoking, sexual exploitation also contribute
towards the tender age of adolescents. Adolescents living in impoverished areas having limited
access to formal education, employment, recreational activities and information can be further
exploited by different actors which can lead towards instability in the country.

Rationale:

The experience of adolescents within urban settings in Pakistan is an area of growing importance
and a strategic focus of the UNICEF-Government of Pakistan Country Program 2013-2017.
However, despite the increasing interest in understanding and addressing urban poverty, few
pieces of research have focused on the experience of adolescents in poor urban environments.
This study aims to address the gap in research regarding experiences of adolescents in poor
urban settings and to provide useful information for policy makers to design better programs.
Literature Review

Adolescents living in urban areas and specially in urban slums face a myriad of psychological,
emotional, social and financial problems. An analysis of Pakistan integrated Health Survey
(PIHS) reveals that nearly 30 percent of adolescents in Pakistan have never attended school.
Studies done globally as well as in Pakistan highlight gender discrimination faced by adolescent
and young girls in areas of education, protection, health and career opportunities; restrictions in
mobility; child marriages; harmful traditional practices, honor killing; domestic violence; sexual
violence and harassment [ CITATION Aye03 \l 1033 ]. Adolescents who encounter corporal
punishment in school are less motivated, have low self esteem and perform poorly in academics
which lead to longer absenteeism and finally dropout from school [ CITATION Iqb13 \l 1033 ]. Data
also reveals that 45 percent of adolescent girls in Pakistan are not in school, engaged in
economically productive work, or married. The comparable figure for boys ages 10–19 is only
13 percent (PIHS. 1995-1996) [ CITATION Aye03 \l 1033 ]. Lack of information, limited access to
health services and social support also increases the risk of pregnancy related complications and
maternal mortality.

A study in India on college adolescent girls analyzed their perceptions and sexual behavior. The
effect of nuclear and joint families on their behavior was observed in respect to pre marital sex
and then the results were used to measure how it can have an effect on the HIV prevalence.
88.4% disapproved of premarital sex while 11.6% believed it to be a very personal matter.
Communication gap between the families, lack of information and role of media were known to
be the major factor leading towards risky behavior among the adolescents [ CITATION Ani12 \l 1033
].

A study conducted in Sri Lanka observed major aspects of adolescents’ lives including life skills,
family, social and environmental factors, usage of substance, knowledge on reproductive health
and HIV and sexual behavior. The financial issues and parental disharmony were the key worries
which decreased with improving socio economic status. The adolescent seemed strongly under
the influence of the families and majority loved to spend their times with the family. Out of
school adolescent had loose relationship with the family as compared with the in-school
adolescents. Substance abuse was more common in the middles age group and they had limited
knowledge about the sexual and reproductive health. 10% of early adolescent and 14% of mid
and late adolescent in schools admitted to have been sexually abused at some point in life. The
proportion of boys who were abused was greater than the proportion of the girls [ CITATION
Nei04 \l 1033 ]. Another study on adolescents in urban slums of Kenya was conducted to find out
about their experiences while growing up in those areas. On comparing it was found that the girls
were more out of school than the boys. 16% of the girls were married where 63% of pregnancies
were not desired by them [ CITATION Ann07 \l 1033 ]. Girls are forced into early marriages or join
workforce rather than attend school in poor households. This finding is concurrent with a study
conducted in Nepal [ CITATION Ash10 \l 1033 ] . A cross sectional study was conducted on
adolescents in Brazil to find the correlation between child labor and smoking among them. The
findings showed that 13% of adolescents were involved in child labor. Furthermore smoking
prevalence of 15.7% was found in working adolescents versus 3.4% in non working adolescents [
CITATION Dal11 \l 1033 ].
CHAPTER 2 OBJECTIVES

Specific Objectives:

1. To carry out comprehensive field research to identify the factors affecting the
development and social integration of adolescents living in the Urban slum areas of KP
though gathering and analyzing information regarding the following indicators: Access to
early education, basic sanitation and clean drinking water, basic health facilities,
recreational, vocational Training and protection from abuse, exploitation and other forms
of violence

2. Carry out a KAP survey with adolescents in the target areas to gather information about
the major dimensions of their life and well-being including: Access to justice, Health,
Nutrition and Education, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive health including HIV and
AIDS, Substance abuse and Child Labor in the form of decent work

3 Carry out in-depth analysis of aspirations, hopes, fears and determinations of adolescents
in urban settings, which may include: Failures and success of the past, apprehensions in
future; Role models, relationship with elder siblings and other family members, networks
with whom adolescents engage, social circles and how it is influencing their behavior and
future aspirations, coping mechanism adolescents adopt, have adopted or tried in the past,
in order to access abovementioned services and to be protected from abuse and
exploitation.

4 Assess the social determinants which impact the life trajectories of the adolescents, These
may include but are not limited to: Family norms, Sociocultural and Religious norms,
Community norms and sociopolitical environment.
CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY

METHODOLOGY
Study Design

The study was a mixed research where the field work composed of both quantitative and
qualitative part. To accomplish the objectives of the study a quantitative survey was conducted
for measurable variables and for their exploration and determination of reasons behind it, a
qualitative research was conducted. The research consultants finalized a study questionnaire for
the survey, keeping the objectives in mind, in close consultation with Child protection and
Welfare Commission, KP and United Nations Children’s Fund. The questionnaire was then pre
tested in on the marginalized adolescents from similar settings. Necessary changes were made
such as re-sequencing of questions, merging of certain questions and deletion of non relevance
ones. This way the validity of the questionnaire was also ensured. After the pretesting of the
questionnaire, the already trained surveyors started field work in their respective cities. For
quality assurance and monitoring purposes, two pair of researchers visited the target cities to
review the situation, meet with the surveyors, discuss the challenges they faced during the
survey, and address those challenges. The surveyors developed liaison with the service providers
in their respective areas and with the target population. They arranged focus group discussions
and in-depth interviews as required for the team of researchers.

Study area

This research was conducted keeping the whole Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in mind. As all the cities
could not be taken from the province some major urban cities was finalized after careful scrutiny.
The selection of the cities were done on the basis of cultural diversity of the province and
included Abottabad, Swat, Dera Ismail Khan, Peshawar and Mardan.

Sampling for Quantitative survey

Sampling universe
The sampling universe for the study of adolescents in urban areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,
consists of urban areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa defined as such by 1998 Population Census.

Sampling Frame

A multi-staged random sampling was done for this study, where the District reports of
population census 1998 Pakistan was taken as the sampling frame for the study. The Urban
Union Councils (UC) of all the five cities was considered as the Primary Sampling Units (PSUs).

At the first stage the sample of four urban Union Councils was randomly drawn from each city
which was 20 urban Union Councils in total.

At the second stage four low income areas (LIA) defined by the District Polio Control Room
were considered the Secondary Sampling Unit (SSU) that was randomly selected from each
Urban Union Council. Ten respondents were conveniently selected from each low income area.

Sampling technique

Keeping in view the cultural and traditional context of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, characteristics of
respondents (that is marginalized), sensitivity of the research question and to avoid large non
responsiveness convenience sampling technique was used. The target populations of the study
were adolescents in the low income houses, who were internally displaced people (IDPs), who
were involved in child labor, street adolescents, refugees and equal representatives of female
adolescents.

To minimize the biases the adolescents in the households were selected following a right hand
rule for contacting every ninth house in the low income area. One household address was
selected by a random method to serve as a starting point. For the camps every third camp was
randomly selected to include the IDPs. There were some adolescents who were not willing to
participate in the study and the non responsive rate was (9.5%), for which the next house or
camp was approached making it a convenience sampling technique.
Table 1.1: Location of interviews taken from adolescents 10-19 (percentage)

Home Street Workshop Camps DIC Traffic Others

Signal
Male 26 25 28 3 0.75 3 14.25
Femal 78.5 10 1 2.5 0.25 0.75 7
e

Sample Size

According to 1998 census report the urban population of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is

2994084[ CITATION Dir14 \l 1033 ][ CITATION SHA13 \l 1033 ] , and the total number of urban
population of adolescents aged between (10 -14) is 411196 and (15-19) is 340729.The growth
rate of KPK is 2.82. The estimated current population aged (10-14) is 647721 and (15-19) is
536721.

Formula

The researcher used the following formula to draw the sample size for each group of adolescents
that is early (10-14) and late (15-19) adolescents.

- n= t² x p (1-p)/ m²
- n=(1.96x1.96)(0.5)(1-0.5)/0.05x0.05
- n= 3.8416*0.5(1-0.50)/0.0025
- n=1.9208*0.5/0.0025
- n=0.964/0.0025
- n=385
Description:

- n = required sample size

- t = confidence level at 95% (standard value of 1.96)
- p = acceptance (50% i.e. 0.5) 50 % adolescents know about their problems and are
willing to bring improvement in their lives
- m = margin of error at 5% (standard value of 0.05)
 - The calculated sample size for each target group is 385.

After adding for the refusals the estimated sample size calculated is 400 respondents from each
group. The total sample size for both groups was 800 which were equally divided in five urban
cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sampling for Qualitative Study

Following criteria was designed for the selection of participants for Focus Group Discussions.

 Respondents were voluntarily involved in the study.

 Marginalized male adolescents (having participation from early and late adolescents)
 Marginalized female adolescents (having participation from early and late adolescents)
 Parents or family members of adolescents

 Teachers of local schools

 Respondents were vocal and willing to share their view regarding the issues of
adolescents.
 Respondents (parents and teachers) experienced the direct interaction with marginalized
adolescents.
 Each Focus Group Discussion consisted of 10 participants

For In-depth interviews the EDO education, EDO health, Imam of mosque and Child Protection
Officers were selected as respondents in each city.

Research Tools:

The FGD and IDI guide comprised of loosely structured questionnaire having questions
pertaining to accessibility, availability, practices, barriers, aspirations and social determinants

Structured questionnaire was used for survey of the adolescents. The questions had questions like
access to justice, health, Nutrition and Education, adolescent Sexual and Reproductive health
including HIV and AIDS, substance abuse and child Labor in the form of decent work.

Data Collection Plan

Qualitative

FGDs and IDIs were conducted by the lead researchers ensuring sensitivity to the culture of
KPK. The team for qualitative research comprised of three researchers; one observer, one note-
taker and one facilitator/moderator after having the informed consent. All the FGD and IDIs
were transcribed and a guide was used for keeping the discussion relevant and more productive.
All the teams were trained for improving quality of data collection

Selection of surveyors

For the quantitative part of the research, data collection team were selected and trained. The
selection criteria for the team included;

 Representation from both male and female

 From the local community
 Qualified data collectors having knowledge of English, Urdu and local languages

Pretesting of Questionnaire

After the questionnaire was developed by taking expert opinions, reviewing existing literatures
and incorporating personal observation, it was pretested on the marginalized adolescents from
similar settings. Necessary changes were made such as re-sequencing of questions, merging of
certain questions and deletion of non relevance ones. This way the validity of the questionnaire
was ensured.

Data Management Plan

Data collected from the cities was daily scrutinized by the research team for completeness and
accuracy.

Quality Control

The research team was responsible to ensure high quality of data through proper field work;
efficient team building; and regular editing of questionnaire.

Data Analysis:
Quantitative data being the primary data was analyzed by SPSS software for data entry and
analysis. Data was cleaned and checked for missing values, incorrect entries, and decoding
before analyzing. The frequencies, descriptive analysis and cross tabulation were carried out.

Field work:

Quantitative data:

Two sets of questionnaire 10-14yrs and 15-19yrs were developed and the data was collected
accordingly. The ratio of Male: Female (50%:50%) was also ensured. Details are given in the
table below.

10-14yrs 15-19yrs
S.NO DISTRICTS Total
Male Female Male Female
1. Abbotabad 40 40 40 40 160
2. Swat 40 40 40 40 160
3. Mardan 40 40 40 40 160
4. D.I.Khan: 40 40 40 40 160
5. Peshawar 40 40 40 40 160
TOTAL 200 200 200 200 800

Qualitative data:

For the qualitative part, in-depth interviews and Focus group discussions were conducted as per
the proposal submitted and approved. The respondents for the IDIs were DEO Education, EDO
Health, DHO, Social welfare department, Child protection officer, Child protection Officer
(UNICEF), Employers and Imaam of the mosque. The respondents for the FGDs were male and
female adolescents (10-19), teachers and parents.

CITIES CATEGORIES NUMBER OF

PARTICIPANTS
Adolescents 20
Parents 10
Abottabad
Service providers and 3
employer
 Adolescents 20
Teachers 10
Swat
Parents 10
Service providers and imam 5
Adolescents 20
Teachers 10
Dera Ismail Khan
Parents 10
Service providers 5
Adolescents 20
Teachers 10
Mardan
Parents 10
Service providers 5
Adolescents 20
Teachers 10
Peshawar
Parents 10
Service providers 6
Total 214

Challenges during the field work:

The major challenge faced was during the accessibility of late female adolescents. Some of them
were not showing willingness to participate in the study especially those living in the
households. After discussions with the surveyors, it was decided to access some of the female
adolescents from the vocational centers (7%). The selection of the female adolescents was done
conveniently and some of them even showed willingness for the focus group discussions.

Similarly, in the morning the male adolescents who were working in shops and workshops were
not available, for them the surveyors were visiting in the evening and night, which used to get
difficult. The permissions were needed from the employers for whom the adolescents were
working, and most of the time, they didn’t allow due to work pressure. The surveyors made
contacts with the employers and made liaison with them, and also visited the workshops and
shops during meal breaks.

There were many sensitive questions especially the sexual and reproductive health ones. The
respondents hesitated in answering questions pertaining to puberty, for which the surveyors
softened the questions by not asking the questions directly. In Islam a female cannot pray during
her menstruation cycle and the male adolescent commence fasting after they enter puberty, so
those questions were asked around those lines. Similarly abuse related questions were also
 softened up, and the adolescents were not pressurized to answer those questions if they didn’t
want to.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Several challenges hampered the smooth implementation of research activities. Some of the
challenges confronted during this research are listed below:

Due to the prevailing law and order situation in KPK, there was a lack of trust between
government and private institutions, which hampered in scheduling the meetings with the
government officials as required. To access marginalized population convenience sampling was
done, which created biases in the study. Accessing late female respondent was a challenge for
which snowballing technique was used. Due to the conservative environment male and female
respondents were reluctant in sharing their views openly for which rapport was build and consent
was taken from their elders and employers. The parents of early adolescents (10-14) were
hesitant in enrolling their kids for the research, and tried influencing their responses by sitting
with them. The enumerators shared the objectives and summary of the questionnaire, which
made them comfortable. It was difficult to take the responses of employed adolescents during
their working hours, so break timing was selected. The portions of reproductive health for the
late adolescents were asked in an appropriate manner and probing was done minimally. The
prevailing law and order and security situation of KPK was a major challenge for the mobility of

CHAPTER
the research team.
4 RESULTS

RESULTS
Section 1: Social Dimensions

Section 2: Education

Section 3: Health

Section 4: Early age Marriage

Section 5: Child Labor

Section 6: Abuse

______________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 1: SOCIAL DIMENSIONS

SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF ADOLESCENTS’ LIVES:

This chapter addresses the social and cultural context of adolescent’s lives at the individual and
household levels. Clearly the transitions adolescents make do not take place in neutral settings
but are in fact supported by social structures that shape the outlook, experience, and
opportunities that adolescents have as they mature into adults. The questions revolved around
their religion, household characteristics, living arrangements, mobility, recreations and the assets
they own. This section provides a combined result of both early (10-14) and late (15-19)
adolescents.

Household characteristics and living arrangements

Out of the adolescents who participated in the study, 91.5% were Muslims while the rest were
Non – Muslims (Christians, Hindu and Sikh). Majority of the respondents were born in the same
cities they were interviewed in (native) and lived in brick and semi-brick houses. Although 71%
of IDPs and 79% of immigrants were living in their homes, the rest were sleeping on streets,
camps, shelters or other locations like construction sites. Almost half of the study participants
(49%) had 5-8 family members living in one household, whereas 25% of respondents had 9-12
members and 16% stated having more than 13 members living under one roof with them. The
findings states that 11% of the female adolescents (10-19) and 1.5% of male adolescents (15-19)
were married at the time of interview. 83% of the adolescents had both their parents alive
whereas 9% of adolescents stated that both their parents were dead and only 5% stated having
one of their parents alive.

In urban areas there are issues of water shortage, electricity and sanitation which emerged in this
study as well.[ CITATION BIR12 \l 1033 ] . Majority of the adolescents stated that they had
electricity and water in their household, but access to gas was low (51.4%). During the
discussion with the parents and teachers it was noted that in the urban setting, lack of water and
electricity load shedding was a big issue. Some of them pointed out that they had to travel long
distances to bring water. Due to the shortage of water they were also facing sanitation problems
which were affecting the overall environment. Regarding electricity load shedding, the teachers,
parents and adolescents affirmed that it gets difficult to focus in class for both the teachers and
the students and at home, the adolescents can’t study properly and neither can they rest, which
affects their overall psychological and physical health.

Parents – Adolescents Relationship

Table 1.12: Living arrangements of adolescents 10-19 (percentage)

 AGE GENDER WORKING STUDYING WORKING NEITHER
GROU ONLY ONLY AND WORKING
P STUDYING NOR
STUDYING

10-14 MALE 32 40.5 20 7.5

FEMALE 20.5
years ADOLESCENTS LIVING WITH 60 12 7.5
10-19 Years
15-19 Living
MALEat my own 48.5 38 9.5 4 4
FEMALE
years With parents/spouse 19.5 42.5 14.5 83 23.5
Friends 2
With brothers/sisters 5
The data With other relatives 2 shows that
majority of Others 4 the
Total 100

respondents had good relationship with their parents and whenever they needed any kind of help,
they only consulted them (64%). There were some adolescents (12%) who lived without their
families. The reasons shared by them were because they didn’t have any family or they ran away
from home. There were others who shared that education and employment were the reason for
their leaving family. Some of them had conflicts with their parents due to which they left their
families.

Table 1.13: Adolescents’ current involvement at the time of interview (percentage)

The data shows that the male adolescents are working more as compared to the female
adolescents. In all the four categories (early male, early female, late male and late female
adolescents) the population of studying only is more, except for the 15-19 male adolescents who
report “working only” more.

Table 1.14: Correlation between the family members of the adolescents and their working
status (percentage)

The data states that the family size is also linked to adolescent employment. Adolescents who
live in smaller families (one to four household members) are less likely to have to work
compared to those who live in larger households. Only 20 per cent of adolescents from small
households (1-4 members) work; on the other hand, in larger families (5+), more than 40 per cent
of adolescents have to work. However, family size is not directly correlated with work habits.
The data indicates that
Total family members Adolescents who are working
whilst 47 per cent of
only + studying and working
adolescents 1-4 20 with five to
eight 5-8 46.5 household
9-12 44.8
members engage in
13> 41.8
work, that figure drops
slightly once the household is larger than 9 members (45 per cent) and even further with
households of greater than 13 members (42 per cent). This suggests that in very large
households, the burden on adolescents to work is slightly reduced due to more people, and
potentially a greater range of income sources

The data revealed that the adolescents whose both parents were alive were studying more (47%)
compare to the adolescents whose parents were either dead, separated or were living with single
parent, who were working more (40%).

Socio political environment:

As expected, this survey found that female respondents showed more hesitation while going out
unaccompanied (68%). As there can be many reasons for feeling scared of going out alone, the
respondents chose more than one option for their answer. Regarding the reasons for feeling
scared on the streets, terrorism accounted for the 67% of male adolescents and 65% of female
adolescents while teasing on the streets accounted for 59% of female adolescents and street
crimes for 55% of male adolescents.

During the discussions with the female adolescents they shared that they get teased and harassed
in the market place by men where they try touching their private parts in a busy place.

“…Whenever I go out with my friends to the market, the men in the market place, try to touch
our private parts, while walking by us. We feel very uncomfortable whenever they do such
things, and when we point it out to them, they simply ignore us and keep on walking as if nothing
happened.”(FGDs-Female Adolescent)
“…when I go out to bring stuff from bazaar or visit my friend’s house in the neighborhood, the
street boys whistle and wink at me. They really make me feel uncomfortable.” (Female
adolescent)

Future goals and aspirations:

In this section questions pertaining to dreams, aspirations, barriers in achieving dreams,
recreational activities and availability of recreational facilities.

The data shows that due to the lack of finances (43%) the adolescents felt unable to fulfill their
dreams. The respondents wanted to be respectable citizens of the country and wanted to make
something out of their lives. Adolescents wanted professional guidance and some of them
expressed that their families don’t support their dreams. The adolescents who were studying
stated that their parents were not educated nor they had time therefore they cannot contribute in
giving proper guidance regarding their future. The female adolescents pointed out that education
for them is not the priority for their families and after primary they get confined to their homes.
They get involved in domestic labor at home and also work as domestic servants in other people
houses. The female shared that their responsibilities increased as they grow older and most of
them got engaged to marry as soon as they enter puberty. Furthermore, traditional social and
cultural expectations about girls’ role as wives and mothers also limit opportunities for them to
continue their education.[ CITATION Cyn09 \l 1033 ]

“…I wanted to become a teacher but I got married in a very early age and all my dreams got
broken. Although I am secretly getting informal education at shelter home but I still have fear of
my husband, who will not let me study once he found out about my education. I want to study in
a proper school in order to fulfill my dreams, but it seems that this dream of mine will never be
fulfilled.” (Female adolescent 15-19)

The adolescents who thought that ‘lack of education’ is the barrier in achieving their dreams
knew the importance of education and thought without education their dreams cannot be
achieved. A discussion with beggars and garbage collectors was conducted where they showed
their willingness to study but due to the financial pressure on them, they couldn’t get education.

Recreational activities

The study explored the free leisure time spend among male and female adolescents and found
that majority of the males (10-19) spend their time with their friends (42%) whereas the females
(10-19) spend their time with their parent (41%). This distinctive behavior shows the cultural
norm where the families restrict the female adolescents in their homes where they get involved in
domestic chores and the male adolescents have freedom to stay outside with their friends till late
hours. The male adolescents share that they play cricket and football in their community for
enjoyment and also travel to different places. During the discussions with the studying male
adolescents, it emerged that compare to them, their sisters have more responsibilities, like
helping out at home or even working as domestic labors to share the finances. The girls shared
that they don’t have any kind of entertainment for them as they cannot even spend time with
their friends whenever they want to.

The recreational activities were explained as the activities in which the adolescents can play,
enjoy and amuse themselves before inquiring them. The facilities included play grounds, sports
club like snooker clubs, gyms, cinemas, video games etc. Only 16% of male and 18% of female
adolescents confirmed the availability of such recreational facilities available in their areas out of
which 69% of the male and 39% of female adolescents shared that it was affordable for them.
The qualitative discussions with the female adolescents further explored in this area where they
pointed out that there were no such areas for them where they could play freely as their families
don’t allow them to play in open grounds where they can be watched by men.

Assets owned by the adolescents

The data shows that 48% of male (15-19) and 26% of female (15-19) owned a mobile set. When
the reason for this difference was probed, the parents shared that for them carrying mobile
phones for a boy is acceptable as compared to a girl, because they believed that a girl can have
romantic relationship which can influence their family negatively.

“…I gave my son a mobile phone because he goes out and we need to communicate with him
from where he is, but I don’t give it to my daughter, because she might get involve with someone
from the community and we cannot tolerate it.”(FGDs-Parents)

This data was analyzed further with working adolescents who had control over their income and
found that the ratio of female adolescents (25%) of owning mobile was less than half for that of
male adolescents (58%), strengthening the gender differences defined by the parents living in the
community.
______________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 2: EDUCATION
EDUCATION:

The section gives the information pertinent to the adolescent’s education. The questions revolved
around the availability and accessibility of educational institutions in their areas, the adolescent’s
educational status and what kind of formal and informal institutions they visited, their institution
experiences, vocational training opportunities and the reasons for not going to educational
facilities and dropouts. The findings of the study showed that the adolescents whose both parents
were alive, study more (61.5%) as compared to the ones whose parents are either dead, separated
or they are living with single parent. The reason which emerged from the discussions with the
parents was that when both the parents are alive, they are able to bear the expenses of their daily
lives and also provide for their children education.
When 41% of the adolescents who were not studying at all were inquired whether they knew
about the educational institution available in their areas, most of them had knowledge about it,
yet they were not studying (>80%). The qualitative discussion with the parents and adolescents
explored the reasons behind not going to schools and financial constraints emerged as the major
barrier for dropouts. Some of the parents also mentioned that it was not a priority for their
family, as males should be learning skills early in their lives so they can contribute financially, as
per the females, they should be married early because its culturally and religiously acceptable for
them. 57% of the adolescents (10-19) who were not studying showed willingness to study but
they still were working or doing nothing due to financial constraints and pressure from their
families which became obvious from the qualitative analysis.

Adolescents’ educational institution experiences:

The adolescents were inquired about the facilities they had in their schools and madrassas. Most
of the school going adolescents stated that the infrastructure, furniture, electricity and toilets
were available in their schools but there was a water shortage, whereas majority of the madrassa
going adolescents stated that infrastructure, electricity and water were available in their
institution but furniture was lacking.
The discussions with the adolescents revealed that due to the lack of furniture they had to sit on
the floor, and some even shared chairs with their peers. The adolescents also disclosed that
excessive load shedding of electricity was making it difficult for them to concentrate in the class
and they were unable to understand whatever their teachers were explaining. Many of them
asserted that due to the shortage of water, the washrooms were nonfunctional and they had to
bring water from outside.

“There is lack of proper furniture in the school, due to which students have to share seats while
studying, while some of the classes even don’t have chairs to sit on. There is also shortage of
water, so we ask the children to bring their own water to use for the washroom. Sometimes the
students even go out of school to bring water for washroom purpose.” (FGDs-Teachers)
During the survey the majority of the adolescents replied positively regarding the availability of
the infrastructure, furniture, water, electricity and toilets in the school premises, but when
probing was conducted in the focus group discussions, a different picture was revealed, stating
otherwise. When the data was analyzed it showed that even though there was electricity, but with
excessive load shedding, toilets were there, but not functional, furniture was there, but not
enough to cater for all the students, infrastructure was there, but not proper.

The adolescents shared that the teachers don’t come to the classes even though they are present
in school.

“…Teachers come to school but all they do is chat with their friends. There is extreme shortage
of water in our school. Even though there are four washrooms in the school, but they have
opened only one, which is for the teachers. The teachers ask us to bring water from outside for
the washroom whenever they want to use it. We also bring water from home and for washroom
purpose we go out of school.” (Female adolescent)

Some of the teachers communicated that regarding the accessibility of the schools, majority were
in 2km radius. Some of the schools had no water, electricity and washrooms for the adolescents.
For the maintenance of school and for cleaning purpose there was shortage of janitorial staff. The
teachers articulated that there was a lot of burden on them for teaching purpose. Even though the
ideal teacher to student ratio is 1:40, but in many schools the ratio is more than 100. Secondly the
teachers had to teach many subjects per day.

“Our school doesn’t have enough teachers, and most of us have to teach all the subjects from
morning till afternoon, due to lack of subject teachers. Quality gets compromised as the teachers
don’t feel like teaching anymore.”(FGDs- Male Teacher)

During the discussions with the officials, they stated that people give low preference for female
education especially in the low income urban union councils. They even shared that as the urban
population is increasing the already present schools are unable to cater for them. The budget
allocated for the education is not to the extent where the maintenance of infrastructure of the
schools can be ensured. The required teachers’ training is also suffering due to lack of funds and
as the staff is not sufficient, the teacher to student ratio has exceeded the ideal 1:40.
Trend of Madrassa education:

The data shows that 48% of the adolescents were going to madrassa in which large number was
also going to school. During the discussions with the religious leaders it emerged that the parents
wanted to send the adolescents to madrassa even if they went to schools and also to work. The
parents believe that religious education was enough for the adolescents which help in building
their character which was missing from schools. The religious leaders also asserted that the
parents feel comfortable sending the female adolescents to madrassas as compared to schools,
where they can get into bad habits like using internet and mobiles. The parents affirmed that
religious education should be given to the adolescents as knowledge about the religion is very
important and it also shows the correct path to lead life in a proper way.

Corporal punishments:

Even though laws were prevailing regarding corporal punishments in educational institution but
in the study it was seen that community adherence to such laws didn’t exist. 66% of the school
going adolescents and 77% of madrassa going adolescents replied in affirmative when inquired
whether they were beaten up or given physical punishments by teachers or not.
During the discussions it was shared by the adolescents that the teachers in Madrassa beat them
with pipes and in schools sticks were used. Some shared that they were slapped by their teachers
while others informed that they were made to stand with hands raised up for a long time, which
was very tiring.
There were some adolescents who justified the beatings by explaining that it was necessary for
maintaining discipline.
“…The teachers beat us in school, whenever we don’t do our homework and its ok, because it’s
our fault. We don’t complain such punishments to our parents.” (FGD- Male Adolescent)

Parents, especially the fathers were of the opinion that punishments are necessary for discipline,
so when adolescents stated that they also got beatings from their parents, it was predictable.
“…In school we get beatings, then in Madrassa we get beatings, so when we complain to our
parents, they also beat us saying that it’s our fault entirely, so next time we don’t complain to
our parents”(FGDs-Male Adolescent)

DROPOUTS AND NOT GOING TO Male Female

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
Physical access 9 20

Financial Constraints 72 41

Weak in studies/unwilling to study 37 13

Corporal punishment 19 21

Family don’t allow 21 61

Physical health 6 7
Safety and security 8 17
Expelled 3 4

Reason for drop outs and not going to schools:

Table 2.7: Reasons stated by adolescents for dropout and not going to educational
institution (multiple responses - percentage)
The male adolescents (10-19) expressed financial constraints (72%) and being weak in studies
(37%) as the major reasons for their dropouts and not going to educational institutions.

On the other hand female adolescents (10-19) stated negative family pressure for not letting them
continue their schooling, being the utmost reason highlighted for their dropout (61%).Financial
constraint was the second highest reason for the female adolescents for not going to any
educational institution (41%)

During the discussion, the parents stated that although government schools were free, but poor
families wanted their children to work and earn money rather than attend school. Secondly
books, stationary items and uniform are also needed, for which finances are required. During the
discussions

“Although the government announced that education was free for all, there are still small
expenses that force parents to choose between educating the child and buying food for the
family.”(FGD-Parents).

The parents and the religious leaders stated that due to the conservative norms and values of the
society, the parents feel reluctant to send their daughters to the educational institutions.

“There is no culture of educating girls in the community. You hardly find a girl going to school
in this Mohalla. People perceive it as a dead investment as the girls will finally be married to
someone else. Early marriages are a common practice in the community. People feel that
daughters are a burden on the family resources so they marry them at their earliest.”(IDI-
Religious leader)

The government officials said that there was low preference for female education in low income
urban areas and the government gives monetary incentive to female students so that their
enrollment increases.

The children whose fathers are working go to schools. The school only provides books. Clothes,
copies, stationary, bags, shoes they do it on their own. We gave incentives to female students,
200/month, and their enrolment increased. (IDI-District DEO)
Vocational training Opportunities:

Vocational training is defined as the “Education and training  which aims to equip people with
knowledge, know-how, skills and/or competences required in particular occupations or more
broadly on the labor market.”[ CITATION Avi08 \l 1033 ]

Despite living in urbanized areas, evidence suggests that adolescents in KP have limited access
to, and knowledge of, vocational training opportunities. Fewer than half - 22 per cent of boys and
48 per cent of girls – knew if vocational training institutes were available in their locale. Of those
who knew about vocational training institutes, only 49 per cent of boys and 64 per cent of girls
report that these are functional. Affordability is noted as an additional concern: 44 per cent of
boys and 46 per cent of girls who know about vocational training report that it is unaffordable for
them. Only 4 per cent of boys and 16 per cent of girls have taken a vocational training course.
Nevertheless, vocational training, when available, does seem to have added value for
adolescents: 50 per cent of girls and 73 per cent of boys who completed a course report that it
helped to increase their income.

During discussions the adolescents were of the opinion that they needed vocational training
institutes but they were unaware of the free vocational training facilities in their area. They
shared that they wanted to learn skills so that they can earn a proper living other than begging
and garbage collection.

“…There is no future in begging and garbage collection and I want to earn more than I earn
from this type of work. I believe a training institute will help me in increasing my income and
also to provide bread and butter for my family.” (Male adolescent)
______________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 3: HEALTH
HEALTH:
This section included questions related to general health, sexual and reproductive health, HIV
and AIDS, and knowledge and awareness regarding contraception. The findings suggest that
majority of the adolescents got hospitalized due to unhygienic environment and poor quality of
food and water. Water was expressed as the major cause of many diseases by the health officials
and also by the parents and adolescents. The questions pertaining to sexual and reproductive
health were only asked to 15-19 years.

In this study the data shows that 92% of the female and 57% of the male participants already
entered puberty. Majority of the females knew about menstruation before they entered puberty,
by observing their elder sisters and cousins and also were informed by their mothers at later
stage. The male adolescents discuss puberty related changes with their friends and to some extent
with their siblings. 22% of the study participants already experienced sexual intercourse one way
or another, where majority stated marriage as the reason for their first sexual encounter. 54% of
the adolescents knew about contraception and 52% heard about HIV and AIDS.

General health

Majority of the respondents stated (47%) unhygienic and poor quality of food and water being
the cause for their hospitalization whenever they get sick.
When the health officials were inquired about the kind of ailments in which the adolescents were
hospitalized, they highlighted water borne diseases being the major cause. They also stated that
most of the low income families don’t use safe water for drinking purposes and this habit make
them suffer. There are leakages in the pipelines and the water reservoir is also not safe, which are
the main reasons for infections. Similarly when asked the parents about the kind of water they
use for drinking purpose, majority stated that they use tap water, without boiling. There was a
lack of awareness on safe drinking water by both parents and the adolescents.

The parents stated that Government health facilities are available in their area but the attitude of
paramedical staff is very negative towards them. Most of the participants were of the opinion that
health care providers only treats well to those people who dressed up well. Otherwise they don’t
care about the poor people and also keep them waiting.

“…The government hospitals are very crowded and most of the time we return to our houses
without meeting the doctor. I have seen people who come in good clothes are entertained quickly
whereas the ones who are not dressed up properly are neglected and are also kept waiting for
long.” (FGDs-Parents)
Sexual and Reproductive Health: (15-19 Years)
The section of sexual and reproductive health was very sensitive, so only 15-19 years
adolescents were asked questions pertaining to it. The questions asked in this section were on
puberty, reasons for sexual activities if any, and knowledge regarding reproductive health and
contraception.

Puberty related sexual changes

Majority of the female respondents (92% of 15-19) confirmed entering puberty (commencement
of menstruation cycle) while 57% of the male respondents confirmed entering puberty
(experienced wet dreams). The source of puberty related information for females were their
mothers while for the male adolescents were their friends.
During the discussions with the female adolescents (15-19) on reproductive health, a fact
surfaced that most of them knew about the puberty related changes. When probed further it was
known that most of them had older sisters and cousins who had experienced menstruation and
they have gained this knowledge simply by observing. Whenever they had any questions related
to monthly cycles, their mothers helped them to understand and they also shared that information
among their friends.
It was relatively difficult to have sexual and reproductive health discussion with the male
adolescents (15-19) due to the sensitivity of the topic, that’s why probing was not done with
them.

Figure 1: Sources of Reproductive Health information (percentage)

 100%
90%
23%
80%
70% 80% others
8%
healthcare providers
60%
teachers
50% friends
siblings
40%
0.55 parents
30%
20% 20%
10%
0%
Females Males

Sexuality:

The data states that 22% adolescents aged 15-19 had sexual encounters in their lives where
majority of the adolescents had it due to marriage (53%) and to express love (25%) without
marriage. The data also shows that 7% were engaged in sexual activity in exchange for money or
goods and a further 4% stated that they were forced to have sexual intercourse.

When the adolescents (15-19) who were engaged in sexual activities, were inquired whether they
heard about contraception, approximately half of them responded in affirmative (54%). The
focus group discussions with the adolescents demonstrated that some of the adolescents knew
about contraception and also shared that the source of their knowledge being media and their
peers. The adolescents felt hesitant in discussing such matter with their parents as they felt it was
culturally unaccepted.

The adolescents (15-19) were hesitant in discussing any kind of sexual encounters, which is
understandable keeping the norms and culture in mind, that’s why probing was not done on the
issue. Moreover one of the respondents shared her life story which shed some light on the issues
that may be surrounding their lives.

“I was living happily with my parents in Islamabad. I was studying in class 6 at the age of 12
years, and decided to spend my vacations in Swat with my Uncle. When I reached there, my
uncle sold me to a 50 years old man, who was an Afghan Refugee, who married me. In the
meantime my uncle informed my family members that he got me wedded to a local boy, and that
I am very happy here. When my family came to visit me, they were astonished to see that their
beautiful daughter was married to a man four times her age. Due to social pressure and
influence of the man who married me, my family accepted the marriage. After several months he
started beating me and his step sons used to physically fight with me. Moreover my husband’s
first wife used to beat me with a stick and physically abuse me. After 10 months of mere torture,
my case came in media and I finally got rid of that guy.”(Female Adolescent-Peshawar)

Knowledge about HIV and AIDS

The data shows that out of the total adolescents who had experienced sexual intercourse, 52% of
them had heard of HIV and AIDS. During the discussions with the late adolescents it was found
that the knowledge regarding HIV and AIDS was limited as most of them didn’t know the two
methods of prevention. Some of them, who had knowledge regarding HIV, stated that usage of
condoms and screening of blood for HIV can prevent the further spread of HIV. There were few
participants who thought that HIV can be spread by touching an infected person and also shared
that they gained this information from their peers.

______________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 4: EARLY MARRIAGE

Early Age Marriage:

The data shows that 7% of the adolescents who participated in the study were married at the time
of interview where the majorities were in the late female adolescents’ category (23.5%).

Table 4.1: Married adolescents according to gender and age (percentage)

Gender Age Married

Female 10-14 1.5
15-19 23.5
10-19 12.5
Male 10-14 0
15-19 3
10-19 1.5
Total Male and Female (10-19) 7
It was noted
that almost half of the married female adolescents (10-19) had children at the time of interview
(46%).
Early marriage is mostly seen in low income areas where parents want to ensure their daughters
financial security and to also reduce the economic burden which according to them, their
daughters place on the family. It is also a cultural practice where the families wish to strengthen
social ties with other families. [ CITATION Nou09 \l 1033 ]The qualitative analysis showed that
some of the parents wanted to provide education for their daughters, but only if their economical
conditions allow them. The mothers pointed out that only due to society and father’s pressure;
they don’t allow their girls to continue their education, as they fear that their daughters will end
up without marriage.
Secondly during the discussion with the female adolescents it also emerged that they are a
burden for their families and some of them pointed out that early marriages are desirable in
Islam.

A parent quoted that:

“…It’s really difficult to take care of children, as they have many requirements, like schooling,
food, clothing’s etc. The boy can share the economical burden with us, while the girls can only
become a burden for us. We cannot let her work outside, as the society is very cruel, and there
are chances of sexual abuses, so we try to get her married as soon as possible. It is also our
tradition. (FGD-Parents)

“…I got my girl married at the age of 13 because schools were not accessible to her and I could
not afford private school for her.” (FGD-Mother)

Many of the female adolescents who were married shared their passion to continue education but
the family traditions and society pressure don’t allow them to study further.

“…I have studied till 5th class then my family stopped my schooling because they thought it’s
enough education for girls and now it is time that I should stay at home and help in domestic
chores will I get married. My elder sister got married at the age of 13 and now my parents are
preparing for my marriage.” (Female adolescent-age 12)

Parents also think that a much older man can take care of their daughter’s financial and social
need that is why a large spousal age gap can also be noted. The adolescent being young have
limited autonomy and unable to practice her sexual and reproductive rights. That is the reason
the female adolescents gets easily pressurized into early pregnancies.[ CITATION UNF05 \l 1033 ].
Child marriage is a health issue as well as human rights violation and it increases the risk of
maternal and infant mortality. Studies show that adolescents who are 15-19 are twice as likely to
die from childbirth, whereas 10-14 aged adolescents have a much higher mortality rate (five
times as likely to die).United Nations Secretary General reports also draw attention to the fact
that the adolescent who get married and become a mother at an early age limit their education
and also increase the risk for maternal and infant mortality.[ CITATION KAn01 \l 1033 ].
While analyzing the data of the late female adolescents who were not married (76.5%), majority
of them were studying (68%) at the time of interview. This shows another aspect of the study
where the parents were letting their daughters study and by doing this, fostering later marriage
for them.
Child marriage is a human rights violation which has a negative consequence on female
education, their health and psychological well being. It increases the risk of maternal and
neonatal mortalities and studies have shown that letting the girls stay in school is the effective
way of reducing child marriage.[ CITATION Nou09 \l 1033 ][ CITATION San \l 1033 ]

Health Seeking Behavior

The health seeking behavior of the married adolescents suggests that many of them did not visit a
healthcare facility. Data shows that 57% of the married adolescents who experienced termination
of their pregnancies didn’t go to healthcare facilities. From discussions with the mothers and
married adolescents it was known that they visited local Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) or
herbalists whenever they experienced antenatal problems.
The mothers expressed that they prefer local TBAs because they believed they were more
reliable and experienced than the skilled birth attendants in the healthcare facilities. According to
them the TBAs lived nearby and were friendly and always available for them. On further probing
they shared that the staff in healthcare facility was not friendly and they had to travel a long
distance to reach there, that was why they didn’t seek healthcare practitioners.
On inquiring about the antenatal visits, few claimed that they take their daughters once or twice
during the nine months. Without any complications they didn’t visit the health facility and only
few of them expressed the importance of antenatal care, but none of them claimed to have taken
their daughters and daughters in law for regular checkups. Studies have shown that there are
many cultural and socioeconomic factors which bring hurdles in utilizing the antenatal care.
[ CITATION Ant \l 1033 ] For recognizing early signs of complication during pregnancy, the
importance of antenatal visits cannot be stressed further and according to World Health
Organization four antenatal visits should be made in order to decrease the risks of pregnancies.
[ CITATION Vil01 \l 1033 ]

The health officials stated in their interviews that the adolescents younger than 18 years who
visits the facilities are at risk as they don’t have a mature biological system, which can causes
complications for them and their babies. According to them, the younger adolescents cannot take
care of themselves and their babies, as most of them are not even educated. The practitioners
stated that their facilities have good doctors and the patients are content with them, but many still
go to the local TBAs who are not skilled. They are raising awareness among local community
regarding positive health seeking behavior.

______________________________________________________________________________
SECTION 5: CHILD LABOR
CHILD LABOR:

In this section working adolescents were included, who were asked about their working hours,
whether they get paid or not for their work, the wages they get, type of work they are involved
in, control over their income, utilization of their income, knowledge about minimum age of work
and the barriers they consider in achieving their dreams.

The survey showed that out of working adolescents only 4% of them knew about the minimum
age of work. This showed that many of them were exploited into working as they didn’t know
about the labor laws prevailing in the country. The discussions with the adolescents also
strengthened the analysis that many didn’t have knowledge regarding child labor.

The survey findings showed that majority of the working adolescents were working more than
seven hours in a day where some of them were even studying. In the study 32% of the working
adolescents were also studying and it was shared by the adolescents that after they get off from
school around 1:30pm-2pm, they took their lunch and they work till evening. Some of them even
stated that they worked till night and came back home after taking dinner in their work areas.

The discussions with child protection officers, employers, parents and adolescents showed that
there was a lot of burden on the adolescents and there was no leisure time for them. The parents
had knowledge regarding child labor laws but no adherence due to financial constraints. On the
other hand the employers expressed that the parents begs them to take up their children so that
they can learn skills which can help the family financially at a later stage. Most of the employers
felt sympathy for the family and hired adolescents, but didnt engage them in hazardous work.
They also stated that they provide the adolescents with food and clothes, which kept the families
happy.

The child protection officers stated that they ask the parents to send their children to school, in
doing so, the parents make the kids study and work both, which over burden the adolescents and
keep them engaged from morning till night. The child protection officers also expressed that
there is a gap in the child protection laws and they feel helpless when they cannot find solutions
to such problems.
The adolescents on the other hand expressed that they get really tired by working the whole day.
The ones who study and work both shared that they don’t get enough time to finish their
homework which cause their punishments in school.

The study showed that 66% of the working adolescents were paid less than one dollar a day,
which was not enough for their families. Majority of the adolescents gave all their incomes to
their families and the ones who kept some for themselves spend mostly on food items.

Type of work segregation by gender

Table 5.2: Type of work the adolescent were involved in according to gender
(percentage)

Type of work Male adolescents Female adolescents

Domestic labor 8 83
Hawker 4.5 4
Shop 29 1.5
Workshop 39 1.5
Begging 4 7
Construction site 6 0
Garbage collection 9.5 3

The data shows that majority of the male adolescent work in shops (29%) and workshops (39%),
whereas majority of the female adolescents work in domestic labor. Studies have shown that out
of all domestic workers, majority are girls. Our study also shows that 86% of overall domestic
labor account for female adolescents. There are many hazards linked with domestic labor like
tiresome work without any rest, carrying heavy loads, handling dangerous items like knives etc,
insufficient food, humiliation and physical and sexual abuse.[ CITATION ILO14 \l 1033 ] The
discussion with female adolescents who were working as domestic workers shared that this is the
only work for females and few of them were bold enough to share that they had experience
sexual exploitation at the hand of their employers in their line of work, but they couldn’t report it
as they were scared of their employers and also for losing their jobs.
When the employers were asked about the wages they give the adolescents who work for them,
they shared that in the beginning when the boys come to work for them, they are young and new
to the work, and so needs time to learn the skills. They provide them with food and clothing and
a small stipend for their work. With time, when they learn the skills, and become experts in their
work, we pay them more. Some of them even stated that as the parents beg us to give work to
their children, they teach the skills to them and when they become skillful they move to other
workshops where they can obtain salaries.

“…When a kid age 10-12 come to us for work, he doesn’t know anything. We don’t engage him
in hazardous work like electrical work in our workshop. He just helps us in bringing stuff and
provides tea for our workers, for that we give him clothing and food. With time he learns basic
and then advance stuff, and then we pay him much better.” (Employer)

Control and Utilization of Income:

The adolescents who kept all or part of their salary for themselves, utilized on food items and in
helping their families with the utility bills. The data also showed that the females compare to
males were spending less money on travelling, showing that either they were going nearby for
work or they were not traveling at all.

“I was 6 years old and was in class 1 when my father first took me to a workshop to learn. I was
very young and faced difficulties in learning the skills. Due to financial pressure on us, I had to
discontinue my education for the family as I was the eldest child. Today I am 16 years old and
an expert in my field of work. I scarified my right to education for the family, but will not let my
younger siblings suffer, that’s why I am supporting my brothers and sisters for their education. I
do get regrets about my lack of education, but when I see my younger brothers and sisters’
study, I get a sense of achievement and satisfaction.”(Working male adolescent)

As the study participants were low income adolescents so during discussions with them and their
parents it was revealed that they faced many financial constraints on daily basis. They expressed
having limited job opportunities which paid less but required more work. This can makes them
vulnerable as the employers easily exploit them in terms of wages.
______________________________________________________________________________

SECTION 6: ABUSE
ABUSE

This section includes questions on physical abuse, harassment, sexual abuse, violence at home
and educational institutions, seeking help from whom in case of violence, substance abuse and
reasons for initiating substance.
The findings of our study show that male adolescents were more physically abused and
indecently touched than female adolescents. When asked about the perpetrators majority of the
male adolescents stated them being known adults, but the majority of the female adolescents
stated strangers as the main perpetrator. According to the females they were being touched
indecently in public places. In case of violence at home and educational institutions, the
adolescents seek help from family elders and teachers. 24% of the adolescents were using
substance in which the usage of tobacco and niswar was more. The study also found that the ones
who were working were indulged in substance abuse more as compared to the ones who were not
working.

Physical abuse and sexual harassment

The adolescents were explained physical abuse and sexual harassment before asking questions
pertaining to this section. 40% of male adolescents stated that they were hit so hard that they had
marks on their body, as compared to 21% of female adolescents who gave that statement. It was
further analyzed by correlating with adolescents current involvement and was found that both
male and female adolescents who were studying were hit more than the ones who were not. The
data also showed that 21% of males and 17% of females had experience of getting touched
indecently by an older person which made them uncomfortable.
When the adolescents who experienced sexual harassment were asked about the perpetrator
majority of the male respondents shared that they were indecently touched by a known adults
(55%) while the female adolescents had such experience with strangers (62%). During the
discussions the female adolescents shared that when they go out to the market they are touched
by strangers on their private parts.
Violence at home and educational environment:
In the study, physical violence is defined as “Physical violence is the intentional use of physical
force with the potential for causing death, disability, injury, or harm. Physical violence includes,
but is not limited to, scratching; pushing; shoving; throwing; grabbing; biting; choking;
shaking; slapping; punching; burning; use of a weapon; and use of restraints or one’s body,
size, or strength against another person.”[ CITATION Int02 \l 1033 ]

When the adolescents experienced any kind of violence at home they sought help from their
family elders, like grand-parents, elder brothers, elder sisters etc. In school when the adolescents
experienced bullying, hitting, pushing etc, they complained to their teachers while the female
adolescents sought help from their family elders whenever they got involved in school violence.

Substance abuse:

The data shows that 24% of the adolescents were addicted to different types of substances where
majority of them were working adolescents. In the discussion with the employers, the reason for
such behavior given by them was that their employer’s uses tobacco, niswar, charas (cannabis),
heroine and other forms of drugs in their work area which gives easy access to the adolescents.
Petrol sniffing was found to be very common in workshops because of its easy availability and
the adolescents who work long hours in the workshop gets addicted to it. Secondly samad bond
sniffing was found to be the other common addiction among adolescents.
CHAPTER 5 DISCUSSIONS

DISCUSSIONS

The average family size which became eminent from the survey and discussions was large which
gave rise to many issues like financial and meeting the basic needs of the family. Education and
employment emerged as the major reason for the adolescents who were living without their
families in urban areas.

The importance of both parents in the adolescents life cannot be denied, because the adolescents
having both the parents in their lives were studying more as compared to the ones who had either
one parent alive, or had no parents at all.

Although aggregate numbers suggest that more boys than girls are involved in child labor, where
the females were involved in domestic and males were involved in workshop labor. the findings
of the study showed that 86% of adolescents involved in domestic labor are girls. The findings
highlighted that majority started work from early adolescent period.

It was found that child labor is both a cause and a consequence of meeting the basic needs of the
family, and it perpetuates impoverishment by severely compromising children’s education.
Banning children from school and putting them to work, disrupts their normal development,
education and relationship. The study highlights that 66% of working adolescents were earning
less than one dollar per day which was in concordance with another study [ CITATION Beq \l 1033 ]
where it was reported that children worked the longest hours and were worst paid of all laborers.
The majority of the working adolescents were working more than 7 hours per day in which some
of them were even studying. It clearly shows the extensive burden on the adolescents to earn a
living and support their families giving no time for their entertainment and leisure. The
adolescents share the household burden by giving all earnings to their families and the ones who
keep some for themselves spend their income on food and utilities. With early entry into the
labor force, most children delay entry to school, fail to complete a basic education or never
attend school at all. The development of human capital is critically dependent on education of
future work force. It was observed that parents prefer work over school for their children,
perpetuating poverty by lowering the adolescents future value adding and income generating
potential. This is also in concordance with a study conducted by[ CITATION Gle \l 1033 ] and
[ CITATION Bal001 \l 1033 ] expressing that not letting the child to get education can trap the
household in a vicious intergenerational cycle of poverty.

The laws restricting child labor are prevailing in the country, but its community adherence was
not seen. It was observed that the child protection unit was helpless in containing child labor due
to the already established understanding between the parents and employers, letting the child to
work. Whenever cases of child labor came into view with the child protection unit, they visited
the sites but couldn’t proceed further due to the understanding employers and parents already had
between them.

The findings also highlighted that in less extreme scenario where parents combine work with
school – the case where either work or school comes out of the child’s leisure time – work still
exert an adverse impact on a child’s learning, also doubling the burden on a child due to
excessive pressure exerted on them from both school and work. It was analyzed that missing
school because of work or utilizing time designated for homework to do work exerts a
substantial negative impact on learning achievement. This finding is similar to a study in which it
also mentions that such kind of work mainly attributed to the child’s exhaustion and a general
“diversion of interest away from academic concerns” [ CITATION Hea03 \l 1033 ]

Where girls who work and are in school, they carry a ‘triple burden’ of housework, schoolwork
and work outside the home, paid or unpaid, which inevitably reduces their educational
attainment and achievement. It was observed that the study participants who are in child labor
get exploited in terms of getting paid. The exploitation was severe in the case of early
adolescents, whose majority was paid less than Rs.3000/ month. For older children, respondents
said that parents sometimes encouraged the child to find work, or they set the child up in a small
business. Whilst most parents would prefer their children to be at school, it was believed to be
better for a child to be working than to be idle at home; not only because the child was able to
contribute financially to the family, but also because the child would be busy, so less likely to
become involved in harmful activities such as sex work or crime. However, children were said to
be exposed to different types of harms through work, particularly exploitation (not being paid for
work done), heavy physical labor, and sexual assault. The findings also show that most of the
adolescents who work, give all earnings to their families.

It was observed that the boys spending more time outside are in the influence of macho boys and
feel alienated when they cannot relate with them. The male respondents were in a state of
complex due to their school and madrassa uniform which was “Malaysian shalwar kameez” as
compared to other boys who wear white shirts and trouser. The self esteem seemed very low as
they felt discriminated from other boys of the community. Here the urban disparity exists when
the low income adolescents cannot study in private schools and feel discriminated when they
cannot afford the educational institutions. The adolescents compare their institutions with the
private educational facilities where the infrastructure, the uniform, the curriculum is much better
than theirs. The high teachers’ student ratio and lack of furniture gives them the lack of
satisfaction. The findings also show that the teachers don’t attend classes as much as they do in
private schools.

Corporal punishment still persists in schools despite national legislation forbidding it and
sometimes emphasized more in some localities. According to the adolescents punishments are
used for disciplining purpose, and also so that we can learn better. They don’t complain to their
parents because they are always in agreement with the teachers. As punishments are practiced at
home, it gets difficult to have its ban respected at school.
The adolescents who dropped out of educational institutions expressed financial constraints
being the major reason, whereas the female adolescents not going to educational institutions was
more cultural where the family don’t allow them to continue their education after primary.
Majority felt that poverty was the major barrier in achieving their future goals. Interest for
vocational training was stressed by majority of the respondents and they shared the lack of
facilities bringing hindrance in improving their lives financially.

During group discussions it became evident that there is a low level of the parents’ interest, the
fathers in particular, in the regular school system. The child’s working takes precedence over the
system of education.
Threats to adolescent protection rights are exacerbated by gender discrimination which affects a
far greater number of adolescent females than adolescent males. But there are also human rights
abuses that largely befall adolescent boys in the case of child labor.

The findings show that 22% of the 15-19 adolescents experienced sexual intercourse, among
which marriage being the major reason for this experience. Even though 7% of the adolescents
were married out of which 45% had children. This shows the intense pressure which forces the
females to get pregnant as soon as they are married. The knowledge about contraception and
HIV and AIDS was also limited. This study reflects the close relationship between
female chastity and family honor which forces family members to marry girls at an early age to
prevent sexual transgressions and consequent damage to family reputation. The FGDs with
parents reflects such social and cultural norms which forbid the girls to get education. These
cultural norms were also shared by the service providers and religious leaders. These norms
restricted the girl’s mobility and obstructed their decision making in many aspects of their lives.
Another aspect of gender discrimination surfaced, which was the usage of mobile phones in
which the families were restricting the girls to use mobile phones, thinking that in doing so, will
protect their family reputation. The affect of cultural norms is to such an extent that even though
they were self earning, yet their decision power was negligible.

In this study early age marriages among girls commenced from age 12yrs. The reason
highlighted by the parents for early marriages of their daughters was financial constraints, which
shifted the responsibilities of their daughter to someone else. Another important reasoning which
surfaced for early marriages of girls was cultural, in which the parents felt that their daughters
might not get married if they get older and to also save the family from damaging their
reputation, if the girls indulge themselves in sexual transgressions. Child marriages has lasting
consequences on the girls in taking away their childhood and giving them the responsibilities at
an age where they have yet to enjoy the taste of childhood. In our study the early adolescents
were able to live their life as a child to some extent, but that was untrue for late adolescents.
Early marriages followed by teen pregnancy also significantly increase birth complications as the
teens struggle with the health effects of getting pregnant at that age. A further serious risk to
health that arises as a consequence of adolescent sexual activity is unsafe abortion, which
directly causes the deaths of many adolescent girls and injures many more. The study shows that
62.5% female adolescents who had their pregnancies terminated preferred untrained practitioners
for their healthcare rather than the skilled practitioners.
While the impact of child marriage on girls’ health and education has been noted earlier in this
report, the psychosocial effects are also enormous. Girls are likely to find themselves in a
position of powerlessness where they are more vulnerable to abuse and may also have to bear an
excessive burden of domestic work. Gender discrimination was also seen in their early
marriages, school dropouts, and restriction in their mobility.

The findings shows that although some violence is unexpected and isolated, most violence
against children is carried out by people children know and should be able to trust, such as
family members, known adults like relatives, teachers and employers. Certain groups of children
are particularly vulnerable like children living on the streets, refugees and displaced children.
Often children who face harassment or witness it remain silent out of fear and stigma. The study
highlights that the male adolescents were more physically abused and sexually harassed than the
female adolescents. The reason which emerged was that they have more freedom to go out and
interact with people as compared to the female adolescents. The male adolescents keep their
emotions bottled up and to share any incident of sexual nature embarrasses them and they feel
stigmatized, that is why they don’t share such incidents with anyone. The females of this study
complained of sexual harassment on the streets, by strangers, who indecently touches their
private parts while walking past them. In the study working adolescents were using different
types of substances like tobacco, niswar, samad bond sniffing, petrol sniffing and using other
sort of drugs. The employers of working adolescents engage them in such kind of substance
abuse and it was common practice.

Where socio political environment is concerned the females are terrified while going out alone as
compared to male. The reason pointed out by most of the adolescents was terrorism while
majority of the late females pointed out harassment for their hesitation in going out alone.

Lack of resources emerged as the major barriers in attaining the dreams of adolescents. Having
no such recreational facilities in their areas, the male adolescents spend their time outside in the
company of their friends, whereas the female adolescents spend their time with their parents’
In the study although some of the findings address the comparison between the early and late
adolescents, but the most pronounced findings related to the significant difference in the
adolescent experience across gender lines.

Many traditional cultural practices reflect values and beliefs held by members of a community
for periods spanning generations. Every social grouping in the world has specific traditional
cultural practices and beliefs, some of which are beneficial to all members, while others are
harmful to a specific group, such as women and in our study the female adolescents. These
harmful traditional practices including early marriages, early pregnancies, restriction on
mobility, access to education, harassments emerged as the problems the marginalized
adolescents faced in our study
CHAPTER 6 RECOMMENDATIONS

RECOMMENDATIONS

There is a strong need to adopt a comprehensive approach with regards to Child protection and
should involve all the stake holders especially the parents and religious leaders in formulating the
policies.
The efforts should be accelerated for the Child Rights related pending legislation should be
accelerated.

Awareness campaign should be started to aware and educate the parliamentarians in Child Rights
and Child Protection issues.

A legal advisor should be hired in-house to provide legal support to the child protection units
across the province.
Efforts should be made to establish vocational training centers separately for girls and boys in
various locations, where basic education on numeric, language and personality building should
be provided.
Madrassa education should be brought under and supported by the department of education.
There is a need to revise the curriculum of Madrassas and subjects like numeric, language and
science should be incorporated in the syllabus.
The pilot project under educational department for the monitoring of the schools in swat, should
be scaled up.
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ANNEXURE
ANNEXURE
SUMMARY OF DATA TABLES

SECTION 1:

Table 1.2: Number of non-responsiveness among

male and female adolescents (number)

Early Late
Male 13 8
Female 16 39

Table 1.3: Residential status of Adolescents 10-19 (%)

Resident 10-19 years

Native 77
IDP 12
Immigrant 11
Total 100

Table 1.4: Adolescents (10-19) living arrangements (percentage)

Residential Adolescents living area Total

status
House Street Camp Shelter Others
Native 94 1 0 2 3 100
IDPs 71 2 20 3 4 100
Immigrant 79 4 8 2 7 100

Table 1.5: Religion of the adolescents 10-19 (percentage)

Religious status 10-19 years
Muslim 91.5
Christian 5.1
Hindu 2.9
Sikh 0.5
Total 100

Table 1.6: Residential status

Religion Native IDP Immigrant Total

Muslim 79 12 9 100
Non Muslim 57 12 31 100

Table 1.7: Adolescents living arrangements 10-19 (percentage)

Living Arrangements 10-19 Years

Home 89
On street 2
Camps 3
Shelter 2
Others 4
Table 1.8: Structure of the house of the
Total 100 adolescents
who were living in home (percentage)
Structure of the house 10-19 Years
Bricked 42
Semi-Bricked 29
Mud 23
Hut 5
Other 1
Total 100

Table 1.9: Family members living with adolescents 10-19 (percentage)

Total family members 10-19 Years
1-4 7
5-8 49
9-12 25
13 and above 16
Not Applicable 3
Total 100
Table 1.10: Access to basic facilities (%)

Electricity Gas Water

85.4 51.4 81.2

Table 1.11: Parent’s status of the adolescents 10-19 (percentage)

PARENTS STATUS
Both Parents Alive 83
Both Parents Dead 9
Parents Separated 3
One Parent Alive 5
Total 100

Table 1.15: Reasons the adolescents stated for living without parents and siblings
(percentage)

Employment Educatio Conflict Other

n with reasons like
parents parents
dead, ran
away
Living alone 19 14 22 44
With friends 47 29 12 12
With relatives 0 25 6 69
With employers 10 41.5 3.5 45
or strangers

Table 1.16: In time of need adolescents consult (percentage)

CONSULT IN TIME OF NEED 10-19 Years
Parents 64
Siblings 16
Friends 10
Noone 10
Total 100

Table 1.17: Correlation of parents status with adolescents’ current involvement at the time
of interview (%)

Parent’s Working Studying Working Neither

status and working nor
studying studying
Both parents 28 47 15 10
Alive
Both parents
dead, 40 36 12 12
separated
and having
single parent

Table 1.18: (%) of respondents feeling scared while going out unaccompanied

Do you feel scare when you Male Female

go out alone 38 68

Table 1.19: Reasons for feeling scared while going out alone (percentage)
 Male Female
Threat of terrorism 67 65
Sexual abuse 15 21
Physical abuse 29 21
Street crime 55 38
Harassment (teasing) 29 59

Table 1.20: Barriers in achieving dream profession according to the adolescents (%)

Barriers in achieving dream 10-19

profession

Lack of finances 43
lack of education 11
lack of family support 14
Social environment 12
No guidance available 16
Others 4

Table 1.21: Adolescents spending their free time with (percentage)

Spend free time with

Parents Siblings Friends Other Myself
s
Male 23 23 42 3 9
Female 41 21 24 7 7

Table 1.22: Availability of recreational facility (percentage)

Gender Recreational facility

available
Male 16
Female 18
Table 1.23: Affordability of recreational facilities (percentage)

Gender Recreational facility affordable

Male 69
Female 39

Table 1.24: Adolescents owning a mobile set (percentage)

Gender Adolescents having mobile

15-19 Yes No
Male 48 52
Female 26 74

Table 1.25: Correlation of 15-19 adolescents owning a mobile with their control over
income (percentage)

Gender Control over income

15-19 Male Yes 58
Adolescent No 42
owning a
mobile Female Yes 25
No 75

SECTION 2:

Table 2.1: Correlation of parent’s status with the adolescents who are studying
(percentage)

Parent’s status Adolescents who are studying

Both parents Alive 61.5

Dead, separated
and single parent 48.5
Table 2.2: Correlation of adolescents who are not attending any educational institutions
with their knowledge regarding available educational institutions in their areas
(percentage)

Adolescents who are Know about availability of

not studying educational institutions in
their areas
Working only 90
Neither working nor 80
studying

Table 2.3: Correlation between non studying adolescents with their wish to study
(percentage)

Working only Neither working Working +

Adolescents wish to nor studying neither working
study
nor studying
72 13 57

Table 2.4: Availability of facilities in educational institution of the adolescents who were
visiting schools and madrassas (multiple responses-%)

FACILITIES SCHOOL MADRASSA

Availability of
infrastructure 86.8 80

Availability of furniture
74 37
Toilets are available
78.5 67.3
Electricity is available
89 84.6
Water is available
40.5 87.6
Availability of teachers
91 87
Table 2.5: Proportion of Adolescents going to madrassas (percentage)

Adolescents going to
Adolescents (10-19) madrassa
48

Table 2.6: Corporal punishment experienced by adolescents who visited schools and
madrassas (percentage)

School Madrassa
CORPORAL
PUNISHMEN
T 66 77

Table 2.8: Knowledge about vocational training institute (percentage)

VOCATIONAL Male Female

TRAINING
Vocational training 22 48
institute available

Vocational training 49 64
institute functional

Vocational training 56 54
institute affordable

Ever taken a vocational 4 16

training course

Did vocational training 73 50

help in increasing your
income
SECTION 3:

Table 3.1: Major reason given by adolescents (10-19) for their hospitalization (percentage)

Reasons given for Unhygienic environment and

hospitalization poor quality of food and water
47

Table 3.2: Percentage of

adolescents (10-19) who have entered puberty

Puberty Related Female having Male having wet dreams

Changes menstruation
92 57

Table 3.3: Percentage of Adolescents who were informed about puberty related
changes beforehand

Informed About Female Male

Puberty Related
Changes 59 39

Table 3.4: Percentage of adolescents involved in sexual activities

Adolescents (15-19)
Adolescents involved in
sexual activity 22
Table 3.5: Reasons for first sexual encounter (percentage)

First sexual encounter Adolescents (15-19)

To show love 25
Curiosity 11
For money/goods 7
Forced 4
Marriage 53

Table 3.6: Awareness about contraception among adolescents involved in sexual activity
(%)

Adolescents (15-19)
Ever heard of contraception
54

Table 3.7: Awareness about HIV and AIDS among adolescents involved in sexual activity
(percentage)
Heard about HIV
Adolescents involved in sexual
activity 52
SECTION 4:

Table 4.2: Married adolescents having children (percentage)

Married adolescents Married Adolescents

(10-19) having children
7 45

Table 4.3: Unmarried Female Adolescents (15-19) currently involved in at the time of
interview (percentage)

Currently involved in

Working only 21
Studying only 52
Working and studying both 16
Neither working nor studying 11
Studying only + working and 68
studying both

Table 4.4: Health-seeking behavior of married female adolescents who experienced

abortion (percentage)

Visited Visited Outside

Healthcare healthcare facility
facility

43 57
SECTION 5:

Table 5.1: Adolescents correct knowledge about minimum age of work

Adolescents
Correct knowledge
about minimum age of 4
work

Table 5.3: Working hours in child labor (percentage)

Adolescents Working hours in child labor

1-3 hours 4-6 hours >7 hours

Working
10-14 25 33 42
adolescent
s
15-19 6 35 59

Table 5.4: Percentage of Adolescents who get paid for their work

Working Get paid for their Total working

adolescents work adolescents

10-14 75 42
15-19 88 46

Table 5.5: Monthly income of adolescents who get paid for their work (percentage)

Monthly income Paid Adolescents

Less than Rs.3000/ month 66

More than Rs.3000/ month 34
Table 5.6: Control over income of working adolescents who get paid for their work (%)

Control over income Male Female

Keep all money for self 13 8

Keep some and give 32 17
some to family
Give all earning to 55 75
family

Table 5.7: Utilization of income by adolescents (percentage)

Utilization of income by adolescents

Gender
Utilities Traveling Food Education Substance
Health abuse
Male 38 15 36 2.5 2.5 6

Female 35 7 41 7 3 7

SECTION 6:

Table 6.1: Physical abuse and harassment experienced by adolescents (percentage)

Gender Hitting hard Indecent touching

Male 40 21
Female 21 17
Table 6.2: Offender of indecently touching the adolescent (percentage)

Gender Offender of indecent touching

Family Employers Known Stranger
members adult
Male 22 11 55 32
Female 38 7 32 62

Table 6.3: Help seeking behavior of adolescents during violence at home (percentage)

Male Female
Seek help from family elders
for physical violence at home
157 (93%) 163 (86%)

Table 6.4: Help seeking behavior of adolescents during violence in educational institution
(percentage)

Male Female

Seek help from family elders 37 61

for physical violence in school
Seek help from teachers for 61 33
physical violence in school
Table 6.5: Adolescents usage of substance by type (percentage)

Use of Substance Adolescent 10-19

Tobacco or Niswar 70
Alcohol 13
Drugs 9
Solvent (Samad bond sniffing, 8
Petrol etc)

Total use of substance 24

Table 6.6: Correlation of adolescent’s current involvement with their use of substance (%)

Adolescents Current Use Of Substance

Involvement
Working only 57
Studying only 21.5
Working and studying both 12
Neither working nor studying 9.5