Strengthening adolescent girls’ agency for sexual and reproductive health rights in and through school education in Nepal

Case Studies & Research
Brookings Center for Universal Education
2025
23 p.
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This policy brief presents findings from a participatory action research (PAR) study on SRHR conducted in Nepal from June to December 2024 with adolescent girls aged 12 to 15 from public schools. The study highlights several barriers to SRHR access, including pervasive misinformation about menstruation, contraception, and abortion, compounded by sociocultural stigma that discourages open discussion of sexual and reproductive health. Teacher-centered pedagogies further limit critical engagement with SRHR topics and reinforce misconceptions. Additionally, the absence of safe spaces within educational, community, and family settings restricts girls' ability to seek reliable information and support. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for how policymakers, educators, and communities can more effectively integrate SRHR into school curricula, promote participatory learning approaches, and expand leadership opportunities for adolescent girls. Fostering participatory pedagogies will require the active involvement of teachers and families to create supportive and safe learning environments to discuss SRHR issues. Recognizing adolescent girls as key agents of change is crucial for building an inclusive and rights-based SRHR education system in Nepal.

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