A new participatory study from Nepal shows how schools can empower adolescent girls to understand and advocate for sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR). Published by the Brookings Institution, the research demonstrates that when schools provide accurate information, safe dialogue, and leadership opportunities, girls gain confidence to address SRHR in communities where taboos and misinformation persist.
The Nepal study, conducted June to December 2024 with girls aged 12 to 15 in public schools, highlights persistent risks in low- and middle-income settings. Early marriage, teen pregnancy, and maternal mortality remain concerns in Thailand and beyond, fueled by gaps in reliable information and restricted discussion about puberty, contraception, and sexual rights. Key barriers identified include myths about menstruation and contraception, social stigma, and teaching styles that rely on lectures rather than dialogue and critical thinking.
Co-author Dr. Sudha Ghimire notes that schools can unleash real change when girls receive clear information, meaningful conversations, and chances to lead improvements. The study used Participatory Action Research methods, incorporating creative arts such as poetry and storytelling. These activities helped girls articulate experiences, challenge outdated norms, boost self-esteem, and foster collective advocacy. By the study’s end, many participants began pushing for better SRHR education at school and in their communities.
For Thailand, the implications are clear. Although the country has made strides in reducing teenage pregnancy, misinformation and taboos around adolescent health persist, especially in rural areas and among minority communities. Current teaching methods in many Thai schools can hinder open discussion. Promising pilot programs in certain provinces employ peer-led, student-centered approaches to SRHR education.
Thai culture, with its emphasis on saving face and discretion around sexuality, makes schools a particularly important safe space for factual, stigma-free SRHR education. As one Thai adolescent medicine expert from a major university emphasizes, students benefit most when they learn not only biology but also critical thinking and self-advocacy.
The Nepal findings suggest a practical path: embed SRHR in curricula through interactive methods, train teachers to facilitate sensitive conversations, and engage families to reduce stigma. Schools should also create environments where students can share personal stories and questions without fear of judgment.
Translating these lessons to Thailand could involve national campaigns that normalize SRHR education and expand teacher training. Aligning the Ministry of Education’s Comprehensive Sex Education program with participatory approaches can enhance effectiveness. Community involvement, including voices from religious and local leaders, is essential to balance cultural sensitivity with rights-based learning.
Thailand’s evolution in SRHR has paralleled broader progress in women’s rights. From HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns in the 1980s to legislative measures mandating comprehensive sex education, stigma still lingers in some communities—particularly around menstruation and discussions of contraception and sexual orientation. The Nepal study offers a practical roadmap to reduce such stigma: start early, use participatory methods, and center programs on girls’ voices. Regional collaboration on curriculum development, teacher exchanges, and youth-led forums could amplify impact, while technology and social media can extend reach beyond urban centers.
What can Thai readers do now? Parents can encourage open dialogue at home to break cycles of silence. Teachers can incorporate creative assignments on puberty and consent, while school leaders and policymakers should prioritize teacher training and peer-led health clubs. Adolescents should seek information from trusted sources, such as public health authorities and reputable international organizations. NGOs can facilitate workshops and digital forums that mirror Nepal’s participatory activities.
The evidence is clear: empowering girls in schools creates benefits that spread through families and communities. Thailand stands at a pivotal moment to adapt these lessons, breaking silence, building skills, and centering adolescent rights in educational reform.