Table 1.

Selection criteria for peers

Domain	Criteriaa
Education/ Qualification	Pakistan: Minimum 10 years of schooling (equivalent to GCSE) India: Minimum 7 years of schooling (equivalent to 7th grade)
Experience	Similar socio-demographic background to the target population Similar life experiences to that of the target population Emotional maturity/range of life experience Motherhood experience (India: youngest child preferably at least 3 years old)
Personal attributes	Willingness to learn new skills Good interpersonal skills Ability to relate to mothers and their families Trustworthy, patient, non-judgmental, respectful and compassionate Energy/drive and enthusiasm
Knowledge	Some understanding of maternal and child health issues
Other	Fluent in local language
Requirements	Mobile, able to move in the community freely including if the target population is slightly far off from her place of residence.

^aCriteria common for both sites unless indicated