Introduction
Adolescent girls in rural Nepal are more vulnerable to gender inequality, child marriage, domestic violence, unwanted pregnancies, and non-consensual sex. We work closely with the Tharu community, who have a long history of marginalization and bonded labour, which has disproportionately impacted youth and women. Youth, especially young girls, in these communities, face barriers surrounding sexual and reproductive health education and access to adolescent health services. We must support them in gaining better
understanding of their rights to optimize their health and realize their potential.
The Adolescent Health Program was created to improve the health and wellbeing of adolescents in rural Nepal by increasing awareness and knowledge of the changes that happen during this important period of life. This program includes interactive educational sessions that cover topics including menstruation, healthy relationships, pregnancy, and family planning. By improving awareness through education, our hope is to increase access and use of adolescent-friendly health services. We believe empowering and educating youth is an important step in reducing social stigmas and addressing gender inequalities in health and wellbeing. This program is implemented by CP Nepal with funding and technical guidance from UBC and iA Financial.
Adolescence Health Program
In developing countries, adolescents are more vulnerable to gender inequality, child marriage, domestic violence, unwanted pregnancies, and non-consensual sex. Many adolescents in rural Nepal do not receive the education and skills during the adolescent period that prepare them for adulthood. The median age at first marriage in Nepal is 17.5 years, and 20.2 years at first birth. Only 43% of married women use a modern method of family planning and only 38% know that abortion is legal in Nepal. It is evident that youth in Nepal face a multitude of challenges with regard to their sexual and reproductive health, and we must support them in gaining a better understanding of their rights to optimize their health and realize their potential.
The Adolescent Health Program was created to improve the health and wellbeing of
adolescents in rural Nepal by increasing awareness and knowledge of the changes that happen during this important period of life. This program includes interactive educational sessions that cover topics including menstruation, healthy relationships, pregnancy, and family planning. By improving awareness through education, our hope is to increase access and use of adolescent-friendly health services. We believe empowering and educating youth is an important step in reducing social stigmas and addressing gender inequalities in
health and wellbeing.
Supported By
Our Mission
To implement a sustainable adolescent health education program to address gaps in knowledge, increase access and utilization of sexual health services, and ultimately empower youth to reduce social stigma and address
inequities in health and wellbeing.