The retention and participation of girls in school in rural Nepal is linked closely with a lack of awareness and stigma around sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues and harmful practices such as child marriage and chaupadi (segregation during menstruation) which lead to missed school and school drop-out. In partnership with International Nepal Fellowship, the project will pilot the use of Mobile Learning Labs (MLL) to strengthen and deliver comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in schools in the Khandachakra Municipality in Kalikot, Nepal. The MLLs offer an alternative method of delivering CSE and learning about life skills which will help to overcome taboos when discussing SRH. The project will support girls’ education by (1) strengthening CSE to raise awareness of the importance of SRH, learn about navigating healthy and respectful relationships, and reduce the stigma around menstruation; and (2) equipping girls with the tools and life skills to advocate for their health and wellbeing, improve agency, and make informed choices. This increase in awareness and skills is expected to help avoid early marriage, reduce the stigma of menstruation, and improve the ability of girls to advocate for themselves, all of which will support girls’ education by increasing participation and retention in school.
The expected medium-term impacts include (1) improved SRH knowledge and awareness among students including awareness of the negative consequences of child marriage and chaupadi; (2) reduced stigma around sensitive SRH issues and menstruation; and (3) improved life skills & soft skills such as confidence and decision-making skills among students, especially girls.