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

In the past three decades, a variety of policies and programs have been created and implemented globally to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). However, millions of adolescent girls in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are unable to fully exercise their SRHR, becoming victim to early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and maternal mortality. Education can serve as a key solution to addressing this issue by strengthening adolescent girls’ agency to make informed decisions about their bodies and access their rights.

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.

Through creative PAR activities such as art, poetry, and storytelling, adolescent girls found their voices and strengthened their agency to challenge existing norms through school-based activities. The participatory activities fostered awareness, dialogue, and collective advocacy, ultimately empowering adolescent girls to take on the role of change agents for their SRHR. Following their participation in the study, they actively campaigned for SRHR within their schools and communities.

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.