Community Learning Centre personnel receive training in comprehensive sexuality education and gender-based violence

Whether it is bullying, psychological abuse or sexual harassment at school or in the community, gender-based violence has unfortunately become a common issue. Young people, especially girls and young women, sadly all too often experience various forms of violence that can range from abuse to rape.

Sensitizing Community Learning Centre (CLC) personnel on issues of gender-based violence (GBV) and comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is a first step to help the community to identify and understand the various dimensions of abuse and violence, including the social and cultural norms that support gender inequality and the power structures that lead to violence. As the national network of CLCs (over two thousand in total) are the primary mechanism for delivering non-formal education in Nepal, providing learning opportunities to many, including out-of-school children and young adults from socially disadvantaged communities, they are a partner of choice for UNESCO in this endeavour.

In this regard, UNESCO organized a virtual two-day training for CLC personnel on CSE and GBV during the last week of September for managers and facilitators from twenty-four CLCs in four districts- Achham, Bajura, Sarlahi and Saptari. The interactive training covered the differences between gender and sex as they relate to the social values and norms that perpetuate GBV, and included content on sexual and reproductive health education and how to be aware of and guard against abuse, violence and rape.

The culture in the Terai limits women from openly discussing such issues. In today's changed context, this training is very essential.

Sanjay Kumar Sah, Sarlahi

"The training has been able to deliver some powerful messages on gender-based violence, even though we needed to start from the basics," said Kabita Chaudhary from UNESCO.

The CLCs should use the knowledge gained during this training to promote behavioral changes by changing attitudes and mindsets, which is a continuous process. It is necessary to continue this process to spread awareness in the communities about GBV and ways to prevent it.

Deepanjali Shrestha, UNESCO

About the UNESCO-UNFPA-UN Women Joint Programme

"Empowering Adolescent Girls and Young Women through the Provision of Comprehensive Sexuality Education and a Safe Learning Environment in Nepal"is a Joint Programme led by UNESCO, UNFPA, and UN Women with support from KOICA aiming to empower girls and young women through an integrated approach to education, health, and gender equality. For more inquiries, contact the UNESCO Office in Kathmandu at