Deadline: 17-Dec-2025
UNICEF has launched an initiative in Nepal to strengthen gender-transformative services and child protection mechanisms, focusing on girls at risk of child marriage, early pregnancy, or violence. The program enhances institutional capacity, establishes safe spaces, and integrates referral pathways across education, health, social protection, legal aid, and mental health services.
Overview of the Initiative
The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has announced a program to strengthen gender-transformative child protection services in targeted provinces of Nepal, particularly Madhesh and Gandaki. The initiative focuses on empowering adolescent and marginalized girls, enhancing institutional capacities, and creating safe spaces and engagement platforms. Key objectives include:
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Protecting girls at risk of child marriage, early pregnancy, or violence.
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Providing comprehensive support through referral mechanisms linking education, health, social protection, legal aid, employment, and mental health services.
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Strengthening community structures to create safe, empowering environments for girls.
Why the Initiative Matters
Adolescent girls in Nepal, especially in marginalized communities, face high risks of child marriage, gender-based violence, and limited access to services. By improving gender-transformative child protection systems, UNICEF aims to:
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Reduce child marriage and early pregnancy rates.
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Enhance access to education, health, and psychosocial support for vulnerable girls.
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Empower girls through safe spaces and learning opportunities.
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Strengthen community-based referral mechanisms to provide integrated support.
Who is Eligible?
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Adolescent girls at risk of child marriage, early pregnancy, or violence.
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Married, pregnant, or parenting girls requiring gender-sensitive support.
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Marginalized girls in selected palikas of Madhesh Province.
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Institutions in Madhesh and Gandaki provinces involved in child protection, education, health, social protection, legal aid, or employment programs.
How the Program Works
1. Institutional Capacity Strengthening
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Train education, health, and child protection institutions to deliver gender-transformative services.
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Equip institutions with tools, competencies, and intervention pathways to support at-risk girls.
2. Safe Spaces and Community Engagement
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Establish safe spaces and Community Learning Centers for marginalized girls in selected palikas.
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Promote empowerment, learning, and participation through structured engagement platforms.
3. Comprehensive Referral Mechanisms
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Implement integrated referral systems across ten palikas of Madhesh Province.
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Link services across education, health (including MHPSS), social protection, legal aid, and employment.
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Ensure girls can access timely, multi-sectoral support in a coordinated manner.
4. Digital Access to Information
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Provide adolescent girls with accurate information on child marriage prevention through the OKY Nepal app.
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Enhance awareness of rights, services, and support pathways using digital platforms.
Common Mistakes and Tips
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Mistake: Neglecting marginalized or hard-to-reach girls. Tip: Prioritise outreach in remote palikas and underserved communities.
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Mistake: Weak coordination among institutions. Tip: Establish clear roles and communication pathways within referral networks.
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Mistake: Underutilizing digital tools. Tip: Promote the OKY Nepal app and other digital resources to increase access to information.
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Mistake: Inadequate monitoring of safe spaces. Tip: Regularly track participation, safety, and impact of community engagement platforms.
FAQ
1. What is the main goal of this UNICEF initiative?
To strengthen gender-transformative child protection services for girls at risk of child marriage, early pregnancy, or violence in Nepal.
2. Who benefits from the program?
Adolescent girls, marginalized girls, married/pregnant/parenting girls, and institutions in Madhesh and Gandaki provinces.
3. What services are provided?
Safe spaces, empowerment platforms, integrated referral mechanisms, institutional capacity building, and digital information via the OKY Nepal app.
4. How are at-risk girls supported?
Through gender-sensitive services, access to health, education, psychosocial support, legal aid, employment pathways, and community-based safe spaces.
5. How does the initiative reduce child marriage?
By empowering girls, providing timely information, and offering integrated support across multiple sectors.
6. What role do institutions play?
They deliver gender-transformative services, manage referral mechanisms, and ensure safe and supportive environments for girls.
7. How are safe spaces structured?
Safe spaces and Community Learning Centers provide learning, engagement, and empowerment opportunities while safeguarding girls from risks.
Conclusion
UNICEF’s gender-transformative child protection initiative in Nepal strengthens the capacity of institutions and community structures to protect adolescent and marginalized girls. By combining safe spaces, integrated referral mechanisms, digital information access, and capacity building, the program promotes empowerment, protection, and holistic development, contributing to long-term reductions in child marriage, violence, and gender inequities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.