New Study Reveals Urgent Need to Tackle Child Marriage and Adolescent Pregnancy in Lao PDR

Together, We Can End Child Marriage in Lao PDR

A Future Free from Harm
In Lao PDR, too many girls are still being married before their 18th birthday. Early marriage and adolescent pregnancy rob girls of their childhood, education, and future opportunities. It’s time to change that.

The Challenge
33% of women aged 20–24 were married before 18.
18% gave birth before adulthood.
Rates are highest in rural, poor, and ethnic minority communities.
Girls are dropping out of school, pressured into unions due to pregnancy, and married off due to poverty and tradition. Many of these marriages go undocumented, leaving girls without protection or support.

What’s Driving It?
Our national study uncovered the key drivers:
• Poverty and lack of education
• Gender inequality and harmful social norms
• Stigma around premarital pregnancy
• Limited access to sexual and reproductive health services
• Influence of mobile phones and social media

What Girls Told Us
Over 900 voices—adolescents, parents, village leaders—shared their stories. Most young people described their marriages as “love unions”, yet few understood the legal age of marriage or had access to Sexual Reproductive Health education.

Girls spoke of lost freedom, increased workloads, and regret. Many wished they had waited until they were older, more educated, and financially secure.

Our Response
We’re working with the Government of Lao PDR and partners to create lasting change.

Our Priorities
✅ Strengthen law enforcement to protect girls from forced marriage and trafficking
✅ Improve marriage registration and village-level recordkeeping
✅ Expand access to education, especially for girls in rural areas
✅ Deliver comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in schools and communities
✅ Provide adolescent-friendly health services, including contraception
✅ Challenge harmful gender norms through media and community outreach

Take Action
Join Us
We believe every girl deserves the right to choose her future. With your support, we can:
• Empower girls with knowledge and skills
• Keep girls in school
• End child marriage and adolescent pregnancy

Quotes
“I wish I had waited. I didn’t know what marriage really meant.”
— Girl, Luang Prabang Province

“We need to teach our children about their rights and health.”
— Parent, Houaphan Province