In Rajpur, Nepal, 20-year-old Sajiya grew up in a conservative household where traditions often decided the future of girls. Like many in her community, she was expected to marry young, remain veiled, and stay quiet. Her education was cut short, her movements were closely monitored, and cultural expectations silenced her voice.
“I was not allowed to leave the house without a male family member. Talking about my rights or my body was considered shameful,” she recalls.
Madhesh Province has one of the highest rates of gender-based violence in Nepal. Nearly 40 percent of the population believes wife-beating is justified, the highest in the country. Harmful practices such as child marriage and gender-biased sex selection remain widespread, particularly among marginalized groups including Dalits, Madhesis, religious minorities, and persons with disabilities. For many adolescent girls, these realities take away opportunities and reinforce cycles of discrimination.
The lack of Comprehensive Sexuality Education also makes things worse. Cultural taboos prevent young people from learning or talking openly about reproductive health. Lessons are often limited to biological facts and do not address the emotional or social realities that young people face. Without safe spaces to ask questions and share concerns, many girls are left vulnerable and unable to stand up against inequality.
The SAFE Girls Project, implemented by Good Neighbors International Nepal together with the Rural Development Centre Nepal and supported by KOICA and UNFPA, is helping change this reality in some of the most marginalized districts of Nepal, including Rautahat and Sarlahi.
One of the key components of the project is Mentor Mobilization and Life Skills Training through the Rupantaran Package. 80 young women from disadvantaged backgrounds, including Sajiya, were trained to become mentors in their schools and communities. They learned about gender equality, leadership, communication, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Interactive activities such as role-playing and scenario-based discussions helped them not only understand these topics but also build confidence to put them into practice.
Stepping into leadership was not easy. Neighbors gossiped about her involvement, and relatives pressured her parents to stop her from attending. But Sajiya stood firm. Drawing courage from her training, she made the bold decision to refuse her own early marriage.
“Standing against my marriage was the hardest decision I ever made. But it was also the moment I realized I could shape my own future,” she said.
Today, Sajiya leads daily peer sessions at a local madrasa, providing safe spaces for adolescent girls to talk about rights, health, and harmful practices. She has reached more than 25 girls, parents, and religious leaders, helping create open conversations where silence once ruled. She now walks confidently to community meetings, speaks in public discussions, and works alongside religious leaders to promote equality and protection.
I used to think I had no choice but to follow what others decided for me. Now I know I can lead, and I can help other girls believe in themselves too.
Beyond Sajiya’s story, the SAFE Girls Project is sparking broader change across Madhesh Province. Community outreach campaigns have raised awareness on gender-based violence, harmful practices, mental health, and child protection. GBV networks have been formed to strengthen coordination among government offices, police, human rights commissions, and civil society. Service providers have also received survivor-centered training to improve case management and response systems.
Together, these efforts are creating safer environments for girls and giving them the confidence to speak up, learn, and lead.
Good Neighbors is committed to ensuring all children worldwide can enjoy their rights. We work tirelessly to empower children to assert their rights, support parents and neighbors in protecting children, and engage communities in child protection efforts. By doing so, we’re listening to our future and investing in a better world for all.
Good Neighbors is an international humanitarian and development organization founded in 1991, working in over 50 countries to make the world a place without hunger and where people live in harmony. Engaging with over 200 communities globally, we empower people and transform communities through social and economic development initiatives. Good Neighbors has General Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC) since 1996.
For further information, please contact Good Neighbors Global Partnership Center.
Good Neighbors is a global NGO dedicated to improving the lives of children and communities in over 50 countries.
Good Neighbors has held a General Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1996.
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