This World Health Day, start with sexual and reproductive rights and education

World Health Day, which this year calls for urgent action to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths, is a critical moment to highlight the sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) of girls and women in marginalized communities. SRHR are fundamental aspects of human health and well-being, with implications that extend far beyond individual health, yet too often young people in marginalized contexts are unable to effectively access or fully exercise these rights. Comprehensive SRHR education is key to bridging this gap and empowering young people to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships, and futures. It helps break the cycle of early marriage and childbirth, reduces maternal and infant mortality, and equips young people with the knowledge and skills they need to lead healthy lives.

In this blog, we share research from Nepal to demonstrate how the health rights of adolescents can be promoted through the creation of effective ecosystems for SRHR education. Participatory action research (PAR) carried out in the schools of two districts in Nepal for over a year identified “4 Ps”—place, people, pedagogy, and policy—as key to supporting adolescents in accessing SRHR education and services.

Place: Safe spaces for discussion

One of the most significant barriers adolescent girls in Nepal face is the lack of safe spaces to discuss SRHR issues, both at home and in schools. There is a lack of private, supportive environments where they can openly talk about their concerns. Many students reported that, outside of the classroom, they had no safe space to approach a teacher or a peer with sensitive questions. Additionally, they felt hesitant to discuss SRHR-related topics with their teachers due to concerns about confidentiality, which contributed to feelings of isolation and increased stigma surrounding these issues.

Creating safe, supportive spaces within schools and communities is essential for facilitating open conversations about SRHR. Schools should be equipped with designated spaces where students can meet trusted adults to discuss their concerns in privacy and share what they feel without fear of judgment. These spaces are critical for empowering adolescents to take the first steps toward understanding and advocating for their SRHR.

People: The role of trusted teachers and parents

Another key barrier to effective SRHR education, as identified by students, is the absence of trusted adults in their lives with whom they feel comfortable discussing SRHR issues. Many adolescents fear being judged or stigmatized, particularly in a culturally conservative society where conversations about sex and sexuality remain taboo. Topics related to SRHR are rarely addressed in family conversations or discussed openly in schools. This gap in trust between students and teachers, adolescents and their families, leaves young people vulnerable to misinformation and exploitation.

To overcome this barrier, SRHR education should take a two-pronged approach incorporating the involvement of both teachers and parents. Teachers need to be trained not only to deliver comprehensive SRHR education but also to serve as approachable, compassionate, and nonjudgmental figures whom students can trust. Equally important is engaging parents in SRHR education initiatives, as societal and family norms strongly influence adolescents’ health behaviors. Schools must collaborate with parents to create a more supportive environment for discussing sexual and reproductive health at home as well as at school, as societal and family norms strongly influence adolescents’ health behaviors.

Participatory pedagogy: Making learning engaging and inclusive

Given that SRHR is often a culturally sensitive topic, it is important to adopt a pedagogical approach that is inclusive, participatory, and adaptable to local contexts. Adolescents need to be engaged in discussions in a way that gradually builds their comfort and confidence in expressing their concerns. Traditional, top-down teaching methods are less effective in addressing complex and sensitive issues like SRHR. Instead, telling stories and sharing real-life examples observed by teachers can help to unfold the experiences of the adolescents. Additionally, participatory pedagogies that emphasize student-centered, creative, and experiential learning can help students develop a deeper understanding of the issues they face.

Adolescents need opportunities to ask questions, engage in discussions, and share their perspectives without fear of criticism. One effective strategy is to integrate SRHR into broader curricular activities, making it a cross-cutting theme relevant to multiple subjects. Also, by incorporating SRHR issues into co-curricular and extracurricular activities, students can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the topic and its impact on their lives.

Policy: Aligning curriculum and teacher training with SRHR goals

One of the most significant challenges to effective SRHR education is the lack of comprehensive SRHR education policy and its manifestation in the national curriculum, which fails to address the needs of adolescent girls, particularly at the school level. As SRHR education is often limited or entirely absent, many students reach a critical stage of development without even a basic understanding of their own anatomy. To address this gap, the national curriculum needs to be revised to ensure that SRHR is taught comprehensively and consistently at all levels of education. Teacher training must focus on enhancing the capacity of teachers to deliver effective SRHR education. Only a strong policy commitment to comprehensive, rights-based SRHR education can address the systemic barriers preventing adolescents from accessing the education they need.

Conclusion: A call for action

Comprehensive SRHR education is a must for adolescents, yet it is still in an early stage in countries like Nepal. To bridge this gap, we need to build strong alliances and adopt a more holistic approach to SRHR. In recognition of World Health Day, it is crucial to emphasize the collective responsibility of multiple actors, including policymakers, parents, teachers, and adolescents, in creating a supportive SRHR ecosystem. In addition to the four Ps outlined above, sharing of global resources among stakeholders would empower adolescents in SRHR and enable them to take control of their health and futures, breaking cycles of early marriage, pregnancy, and violence. In sum, ensuring that every young person can grow up to reach their full potential requires a multifaceted approach to SRHR that includes a culturally sensitive, participatory, and comprehensive educational strategy that empowers adolescents to take charge of their sexual and reproductive health.