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Nepal Continues to Strengthen Girls’ Skills   
May 12, 2006—CEDPA recently received a grant from JHPIEGO to continue CEDPA’s reproductive health work in Nepal. Through increasing adolescent girls involvement in community programs, the “Putting Learning into Action” program improves the girls’ reproductive health knowledge and strengthens their life skills. CEDPA’s program provides these girls the opportunities to become leaders among their peers and in their communities. CEDPA plans to reach nearly 4,000 adolescent girls and young women aged 15–24 through peer educators. Using CEDPA’s Choose A Future! curricula, these peer educators will spread the word about reproductive health and life skills. Under the “Putting Learning into Action” project, CEDPA/Nepal is building on its current work with community partners. The peer educators previously participated in and developed their leadership skills through CEDPA’s two-year “Building Demand for Reproductive Health” project. CEDPA plans to encourage youth to participate in their communities’ development. Studies have shown that engaging youth is a crucial part of improving political and social stability, particularly in a conflict-ridden country like Nepal. The adolescent girls and young women who participated in the former “Building Demand for Reproductive Health” project identified priority issues around reproductive health, including raising awareness of sexually-transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS. They also pinpointed reducing indigenous menstrual taboos as a subject for discussion. CEDPA will help build awareness in Nepal’s communities around these target areas. Reaching nearly 3,000 in-school and out-of-school adolescent girls, CEDPA’s work under the “Building Demand for Reproductive Health” has successfully improved girls’ reproductive health behaviors. Participants have proven themselves more aware of reproductive issues and feel empowered to communicate their health and other needs to their parents, teachers and community leaders. The “Putting Learning into Action” project is part of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s global program to improve maternal and newborn health. |
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