Background                                                                                                                     

Girls’ empowerment involves helping girls recognize their abilities, build practical skills, and gain opportunities to participate in decision-making at home, in communities and in school. It promotes gender equality by strengthening confidence, leadership and economic skills so that girls can contribute positively to the development of their lives.

Population Connection is the national grassroots population organization that educates young people and advocates progressive action to stabilize world population at a level that can be sustained by Earth’s resources. Population Connection works at the nexus of sustainable development, health, and human rights. In a similar vein, since 1995, RUWDUC has worked to promote the welfare of women, children, and youths. It strives to provide women, kids, and youth more authority so they can contribute to Nepal’s overall socioeconomic and environmental growth.

Since 2023, RUWDUC has been implementing the Girls Empowerment Project (GEP) at Mahendra Secondary School. Through Phases I, II and III, the project has strengthened girls’ education, leadership, menstrual hygiene, digital literacy, and participation in school and community spaces. The project has significantly reduced absenteeism among adolescent’s girls, increased their engagement in extracurricular and leadership activities, and enhanced overall school responsiveness to gender equality and student well-being.

Objective of the Project:

1. To encourage adolescent girls through orientation sessions, public speaking and participatory learning activities.
2. To build awareness and positive behaviour on gender equality, menstrual hygiene, mental health, child marriage prevention, and protection issues among students and communities.
3. To promote youth leadership and peer engagement through Safe Child Club Members
4. To enhance digital learning and innovation skills by expanding classroom digitalization and AI-based leadership training.
5. To foster collaboration among stakeholders, including school administration, local government, and community leaders, to create a supportive and inclusive environment for girls’ education and well-being.