Groundbreaking CSE Initiative Conducted

Under the Integrated Community Developments Project implemented by PAC Nepal with the financial and technical support of GNI Nepal, a groundbreaking comprehensive sexual education initiative named “Workshop on Comprehensive Sexual Education Dialogue and Policy Formation” was successfully concluded. This significant workshop took place from February 19 to February 22, 2024, at the Bardibas Resort in Mahottari district, with enthusiastic participation from various stakeholders.

In an effort to secure the rights of adolescents and youths, enabling them to make informed choices about their reproductive health and sexuality, a three-day municipal-level workshop was held in Bhangaha Municipality. This pivotal event was aimed at drafting a Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) policy. The successful formulation of this policy marks Bhangaha Municipality as the pioneering local government to establish provisions for CSE. The initiative didn’t stop there; a province-level policy advocacy event was also organized.

This event was graced by the presence of the Speaker of Parliament of Madhesh Province, elected officials of Bhangaha Municipality including the mayor and deputy mayor, and representatives from bilateral, multilateral agencies, INGOs/NGOs, CSOs, project participants, and rights holders.

The program saw the guidance and facilitation of Professor Dr. Shree Bhimsen Devkota, associated with the Faculty of Health Education at Tribhuvan University and principal of Mahendranagar Campus.

Participants included:

• Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Bhangaha Municipality
• Chief Administrative Officer and Head of Health Branch of Bhangaha Municipality
• Ward Chairpersons of Bhangaha Municipality Wards 1 to 7
• Principals and MHM Focal Teachers from several schools within Bhangaha Municipality

Distinguished figures from GNI Nepal such as the Head of the Public Health Department, Mr. Ram Naresh Yadav, Srijana Joshi, alongside the lead of the Integrated Community Development Project, Mr. Tupendra Khulal, members of the PAC Nepal Board including Secretary Mr. Rajendra Yadav, Executive Director Mr. Sunil Kumar Yadav, and staff members Sapna Budhathoki, Anil Yadav, and Satish Yadav were present to support this transformative initiative.