Real lives

As part of the research underpinning the Because I am a Girl campaign, Plan is following the lives of girls in 9 countries all around the world. The Real Choices, Real Lives study looks at 135 girls all of whom were born in 2006.

Each year, Plan staff in each country visit the girls to understand how their lives develop in comparison to boys.  The study will carry on until 2015 to get a picture of the roots of the problem of discrimination against girls and is now in its third year.

Learn about our girls and the countries they live in.

Benin

Charnel, Consolata, Daki, Natacha, Estelle, Chantal, Marcelle, Debora, Judith, Emilienne, Huguette, Albine, Chimene, Ange, Abiguelle

Population below poverty line: 47% (2005)
Life expectancy: 56 years (2007)
Infant mortality:  78 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 78%, rural, 57%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 63%), (women 41%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: 0.04/1000* (2000-2004)

Dominican Republic

Elimar, Dineiri, Rosibel, Itriaga, Nataly, Anny, Noelia, Rudilania, Estefani, Chabelin, Enely, Laura, Grismeili, Lorianne, Yohanna

Population below poverty line: 5% (2005)
Life expectancy: 72 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 31 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 97%, rural, 91%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 95%), (women 97%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: 1.8/1000* (2000-2004)

El Salvador

Brenda, Evelyn, Jeidi, Yaquelin, Tatiana, Vilma, Maria, Gelen, Eunice, Ashlin, Darlin, Hilda, Melissa

Population below poverty line: 14% (2005)
Life expectancy: 72 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 21 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 94%, rural, 68%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 95%), (women 96%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: 1.24/1000* (2000-2004)

Philippines

Riza, Edwina, Jacil, Leah, Mary Joy T, Girlie, Irish, Jessa B, Marjorie, Mary Joy O, Jessa S, Mikaela, Doreen, Lyca, Bea, Jaky

Population below poverty line:  23% (2005)
Life expectancy: 72 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 23 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 96%, rural, 88%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 94%), (women 95%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: .58/1000* (2000-2004)

Brazil

Cintia, Wemilly, Iasmin, Rosane, Kevyllen, Maria, Amanda, Ketile, Eloiza, Marina, Isadora, Kessia, Denise, Lorena, Sidcleia

Population below poverty line: 8% (2005)
Life expectancy: 72 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 20 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 97%, rural, 58%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 97%), (women 99%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: 1.15/1000* (2000-2004)

Togo

Richala, Fatima, Ihdaya, Salimata, Djalilatou, Adjara, Yassiminat, Oumou, Hentou, Mariyam, Soumehato, Brenanm, Blandine, Fadilatou, Fidos Is, Fassatou, Hadidjatou, Fridos Id.

Population below poverty line: 39% (2005)
Life expectancy:  58 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 65 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 86%, rural, 40%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 84%), (women 64%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: .04/1000* (2000-2004)

Uganda

Christine, Anna Maria, Gloria, Annet, Sumaya, Docus, Trassy, Ruth, Sarah, Tereza, Resty, Juliet, Mirabu, Tapenensi, Damali

Population below poverty line: 52% (2005)
Life expectancy: 51 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 82 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 90%, rural, 60%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 88%), (women 64%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: .08/1000* (2000-2004)

Cambodia

Chhea, Naream, Davath, Sokhea, Nika, Cham, Sipha, Sophea, Sreymon, Sophy, Sreytin, Channy, Reaksa, Chariya

Population below poverty line: 40% (2005)
Life expectancy: 59 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 70 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 80%, rural, 61%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 90%), (women 83%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: .16/1000* (2000-2004)

Vietnam

This Ngoc, Thi Anh, Thi Linh, Tra Giang, Thi Bich Diep, Thanh Thao L, Thanh Thao D, Thri Trang, Thuy Ngan, Phuong Thuy, Kim Phung, Thanh Tam, Thi My Huyen, Thi Thuy Van, Thi Kam Khanh, Ngoc Huong Giang, Tuong Vi, Bao Ngoc, Thi Thuong, Nu Khanh Huyen

Population below poverty line: 21% (2005)
Life expectancy: 74 years (2007)
Infant mortality: 13 deaths/1,000 live births (2007)
Access to clean water: (urban 98%, rural, 90%) (2006)
Youth literacy rate: (men 95%), (women 94%) (2000-2007)
Doctors/people: .53/1000* (2000-2004)

*Human Development Report
Sources: 2009 SOWC