Young leader inspires equality at school
During her presidency of the Adolescent Girl Club, Prema’s menstrual health hygiene, gender equality, and quality education advocacy led to positive changes at her school and in her community.
Prema, a 16-year-old residing in the remote region of Dolpa, Nepal, is on a remarkable journey. Her dreams of becoming a teacher and imparting English education in her community reflect her determination to overcome the challenges posed by limited access to education, healthcare, information, and technology in her region.
Dolpa’s educational landscape
Prema’s education takes place at a school hostel supported by the local municipality. Prema tells us, “I am privileged to study in a school where we do not have to pay. This has reduced the financial burden on my parents. The school also provides free food and clothes. My parents are only paying for my tuition fee as I am preparing for my grade 10 exam. Half the tuition fee is again covered by the rural municipality.”
Under the STEAM Ahead project funded by the European Union, 50 schools in Dolpa are receiving support. A notable feature of this project is the creation of an Adolescent Girl Club (AGC) in Prema’s school. This club, consisting of 20 members, is committed to advancing gender equality and providing quality education.
“I was the president of Araniko AGC,” Prema proudly recalls. “I learned about preventing child marriage, which affects the overall development of children. Although child marriage seems to be decreasing in my area, people are not aware of its legal provisions.”
The power of feedback and advocacy
AGC members like Prema play a vital role in the local planning process, advocating for important issues. They actively engaged in providing feedback to the school, leading to the construction of gender-friendly toilets with regular water supply and hygiene materials. The Gender Responsive Quality Complaint Response Mechanism established under the STEAM Ahead project ensures that student’s voices are heard and acted upon.
“Within a few months, the municipality provided four lakhs Nepali rupee to my school. Now we have proper separate toilets with a regular supply of water and soap. The toilet’s cleanliness is also being maintained,” Prema explains.
Teachers at Prema’s school have embraced a gender-transformative approach in their teaching styles after receiving training through the STEAM Ahead project. They actively discuss behaviors and contributions to eradicating gender discrimination, focusing on engaging male students in school events and maintaining clean and accessible toilets.
Through AGC initiatives, Prema and her peers successfully advocated for the distribution of quality sanitary pads and addressed the challenge of disposing of used pads. With the support of SAC Dolpa/Plan International Nepal, their school now has an incinerator attached to the toilets, promoting menstrual hygiene and environmental sustainability.
Prema and her AGC also addressed issues of safety within the school environment. They advocated for female staff and a female warden, leading to positive changes within the school management team.
A legacy of leadership
Prema’s leadership transformation has been inspiring. Each year, AGC members elect a new president, ensuring a continuous cycle of leadership development. Prema now serves as an advisor, guiding the next generation of young leaders.
Choyying, the social mobiliser of SAC Nepal, observes the significant positive changes in Prema’s confidence and leadership abilities. These changes have also extended to teachers and students, with male teachers respecting students’ privacy and actively working to improve safety and security for female students.
Joint monitoring visits, involving various stakeholders, including Prema, have become a vital part of evaluating the STEAM Ahead project’s progress. These visits have led to improvements in school infrastructure and a focus on providing self-learning materials for students in Dolpa.
Prema’s journey as a young leader in Dolpa is a testament to the transformative power of education and advocacy. Her determination and the support of initiatives like STEAM Ahead are paving the way for a brighter future in this remote region of Nepal.
Categories: Education, Youth empowerment
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