Sisters for Sisters

  • P Project/Program

I Inactive

Key Information

More than 95% of children in Nepal are now enrolled in primary school, compared to 80% ten years ago. Despite this, girls still face many barriers to completing their education, including early marriage, taboos around menstruation, and a high domestic workload. During widespread school closures caused by COVID-19, the barriers were even greater, and many girls are at risk of never returning to formal education.

The first phase of Sisters for Sisters supported thousands of girls from marginalized communities to improve their school attendance and participation, by pairing them with volunteer ‘Big Sisters’ – female mentors who offer encouragement, accountability, and essential information on sexual and reproductive health issues.

The second phase focused on continuing to support the same cohort of girls as they navigated adolescence and started to make their way in the world. We’re empowered girls to recognise that they have choices and agency when it comes to their future – including deciding whether to continue their education, and choosing when to get married and have children.

Lead Implementing Organization(s)

Location(s)

South Asia

Nepal

Activity URL

https://www.vsointernational.org/our-work/inclusive-education/system-strengthening/sisters-for-sisters

Government Affiliation

Government-affiliated program

Years

None - 2021

Partner(s)

Not applicable or unknown

Ministry Affiliation

Ministry of Education, Science and Technology

Funder(s)

Not applicable or unknown

COVID-19 Response

Adapted

Geographic Scope

National

Meets gender-transformative education criteria from the TES  

Unknown

Areas of Work Back to Top

Education areas

Attainment

  • Primary completion
  • Primary enrollment
  • Primary to secondary transition
  • Secondary completion
  • Secondary Enrollment

Other skills

  • Life skills/sexuality education

Cross-cutting areas

  • COVID-19 Response
  • Early/child marriage
  • Empowerment
  • Gender equality
  • Menstrual hygiene management
  • Mentorship
  • Other aspects of sexual and reproductive health

Program participants

Target Audience(s)

Girls (both in school and out of school)

Age

Not applicable or unknown

School Enrolment Status

Some in school

School Level

  • Lower primary
  • Upper primary
  • Lower secondary
  • Upper secondary

Other populations reached

  • Other community members - female
  • Other community members - male
  • Parent-teacher associations/school management committees

Participants include

Not applicable or unknown

Program Approaches Back to Top

Menstrual hygiene management

  • Educating girls about menstruation
  • Sanitary product distribution

Mentoring/psychosocial support

  • Peer mentors

Program Goals Back to Top

Education goals

  • Gender parity and non-discrimination are promoted at all subjects/education levels
  • Increased enrolment in primary school
  • Increased primary school completion
  • Increased re-enrolment in school among out-of-school children
  • Increased school completion (general)
  • Increased school enrolment (general)
  • Increased secondary school completion
  • Increased secondary school enrolment

Cross-cutting goals

  • Improved sexual and reproductive health
  • More equitable gender attitudes and norms