The presence and roles of girl soldiers in militaries throughout the world has been underestimated and misunderstood, says a study from Rights & Democracy. Conducted over three-and-a-half years by authors Susan McKay and Dyan Mazurana with financial support from the Canadian International Development Agency, 'Where Are the Girls?' examines the experiences and roles of girls in fighting forces, with emphasis on the wars in Northern Uganda (1986-present), Sierra Leone (1991-2002), and Mozambique (1976-1992). 'Where are the Girls?' gives the international community insight into why young women and girls may actively choose to participate in conflict and carry out acts of violence and how they can be coerced into taking up military roles through propaganda, abduction, intimidation and forced recruitment.