My space. My health. My choice
Mira, 15, from Bardiya, is learning about her body, health, and rights through adolescent-friendly services. Let’s hear her story in her own words.
Learning about my body and my rights
“My name is Mira. I am 15 years old and studying in grade 9. I live in Bardiya with my parents and siblings. Through my school activities and comprehensive sexuality education sessions facilitated in my community, I started learning about my body, menstruation, relationships, and sexual and reproductive health.”
“I am also a sponsored child of Plan International Nepal. It has been more than 12 years being part of the Plan family.”
“At first, I thought health services were the same for everyone. I did not understand why adolescents needed special services or counselling. I believed these topics were not very important for girls my age.”
Understanding what adolescent-friendly services really mean
“Everything changed when I attended the inauguration of a new adolescent-friendly service centre near my local health facility. I learned that this space was created especially for adolescents like me.”
“The centre provides private and confidential counselling, information on menstruation, contraception and sexually transmitted diseases, support for gender-based violence, and referral services. There are trained and respectful health workers, separate counselling rooms, useful learning materials, a multipurpose hall for adolescent activities, and clean, gender-friendly toilets. For the first time, I felt that the health system was speaking directly to us.”
A place where I felt safe
“Before my menstruation started one month, I experienced lower abdominal pain. Even though I knew about the service centre, I felt nervous about going. I worried about being judged or not taken seriously.”
“Still, I decided to visit the centre with my friends.”
“When I arrived, I felt comfortable. We read informative materials together and used the multipurpose room. I was especially drawn to the book related to Friendship and Love. It helped me understand how to choose healthy friendships and reminded me that real friendship should never be based on comparison or pressure.”
“A female health worker welcomed me kindly. She respected my privacy and explained what was happening in my body using simple language and visual materials. She guided me on managing premenstrual pain and answered my questions patiently. I felt respected, confident, and calm.”
Adolescent-friendly health service centres handover to the government
Two adolescent-friendly health centres in Bardiya have been inaugurated and handed over to local governments, providing safe, confidential spaces for girls to access sexual and reproductive health services.
Why every girl should use these services
“After my visit, I realised how important adolescent-friendly health services are. This centre gave me correct information, confidence, and the courage to care for my health. It helped me understand that my questions matter and that I have the right to safe and respectful services.”
“I now plan to use these services regularly and encourage my friends to do the same. This space belongs to us. It helps us make informed choices, protect our health, and build a better future.”
“Adolescent-friendly services are not just buildings. They are safe spaces where girls like me can learn, speak freely, and take control of our lives.”
About the project
The Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights project in Bardiya promotes adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health and rights, focusing on early education and community engagement. It provides age-appropriate knowledge, supportive spaces, and confidence to challenge harmful gender norms.
Key activities include comprehensive sexuality education in schools, peer educator training, community dialogues, awareness campaigns, and upgrading adolescent-friendly health and school facilities. Over 3 years, the project will reach 11,418 adolescents and strengthen local health services and school infrastructure to ensure safe, inclusive, and informed access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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