#Nepal

A new wave of research and policy focus in Nepal is spotlighting the transformative power of school education in advancing sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights for adolescent girls—a development closely watched by educators and health advocates across Asia, including Thailand. According to a recent article by the Brookings Institution, strengthening girls’ agency through formal education is increasingly recognized as a crucial strategy for enabling young women to exercise their health rights, make informed decisions about their bodies, and break cycles of poverty and discrimination [Brookings].

A growing body of research and policy work in Nepal highlights how school-based education can empower adolescent girls to claim their sexual and reproductive health rights. This shift is drawing attention from educators and health advocates across Asia, including Thailand. The Brookings Institution notes that building girls’ agency through formal schooling is becoming a key strategy for helping young women understand their health rights, make informed choices, and break cycles of poverty and discrimination.

A groundbreaking participatory research study in Nepal is reshaping the conversation on adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), offering valuable lessons for the region—including Thailand—as countries strive to empower young people to make informed choices about their bodies. The study, published by the Brookings Institution, underscores how schools can serve as crucial spaces for strengthening girls’ agency and equipping them with the knowledge and confidence needed to advocate for their SRHR in the face of cultural taboos and misinformation (Brookings, 2025).

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.