Community Speaks

Here are some of the voices of the community regarding Sexual and reproductive health and rights problems and challenges in Sindhupalchowk and the project.

 “There is increasing trend of school dropout rate, child marriage and eloped marriage of school children from schools, teenage pregnancy, early start of menstruation in girls and lack of menstrual hygiene management awareness in the communities. This project is going to raise awareness on issues relating to SRHR and strengthen local CSOs for advocating on SRHR in the communities. We are thankful to BNMT for implementing the project here.”

Mr. Bamshalal Tamang, Chairperson, Indrawati Rural Municipality

---

“In Sindhupalchowk, health services are not accessible due to difficult geographical terrain. People walk for hours to reach the nearest health facility. We can imagine what it takes for disadvantaged groups especially women to get health services. There are cases of uterine prolapse, and many other reproductive health problems in women/girls and men/adolescent boys. Community awareness on SRHR is very crucial to seek the services provided by the government. BNMT working in this municipality to raise awareness on SRHR and ASRH is indeed praiseworthy.”

Dr. Pomawati Thapa, DHO

---

 “Many cases of rape and sexual violence in the Sindhupalchowk are not reported. A school girl was accompanied by her friend to Nawalpur hospital because she fell sick in the class. During the history taking and counseling, we were shocked to know that she had been raped by her close relative and she was reluctant to report the case and accepted it to be consensual.” 

Health workers, Nawalpur Hospital 

---

“We heartily accept and warmly welcome this project to be implemented in our school with open hands. BNMT has already implemented psychosocial support programme in our school after the earthquake and we are highly indebted to them. We feel SRHR awareness is needed for our students and the communities they belong.”

Madhav Sapkota, Principal, Shree Rajeshwori Ma.Bi., Sipapokhare, Indrawati Rural Municipality