Stepping into the spotlight
Across Madhesh Province, thousands of out-of-school girls are stepping into the spotlight, showcasing their skills, passions, and potential
For many girls in Madhesh Province, Nepal, the classroom is a dream they have had to leave behind.
In some districts, more than one in three girls are out of school, and across the entire province, girls are consistently left behind more often than boys. For most girls, being out of school was not their choice- it has been forced on them by poverty, harmful traditions, or family hardship. Now, thanks to the Supporting Adolescent Girls (SAGE) programme - backed by UNICEF in partnership with the European Union, the Government of Finland and Let Us Learn - in collaboration with local governments, these girls are being given a chance to return to the classroom, reclaim their dreams, and build a brighter future through education.
Their journey is not easy. Returning to school means balancing household responsibilities while diving into foundational learning subjects that they are often encountering for the first time. Their parents are facing struggles too, many of whom have never been to school and are still learning the true value of quality education and the opportunities it provides.
That is where Balika Sabha, the Girls’ Assembly, is making a difference.
This vibrant event celebrates the incredible progress of SAGE girls, bringing the entire community together to witness their transformation and hear powerful messages about girls’ rights and agency. The SAGE girls stood alongside parents, community members, ward representatives and local government officials to celebrate their progress.
At Balika Sabha, these young girls are growing as they speak up, advocating for their education, developing leadership skills, fighting against child marriage, and engaging publicly with their community for the first time. Balika Sabha is transforming girls into leaders, proving to the community that their voices can drive positive change.
Thanks to the SAGE programme and Balika Sabha, the girls realize that their own voices matter too.
Mothers, caretakers, SAGE learners, and other women in the community gather to celebrate this special moment for the young girls in their community.
As the girls bravely spoke up about their dreams and rights, their parents watched with pride and amazement at their daughters' newfound confidence and voice. With the local government planning and budgeting cycle approaching, the event’s most powerful outcome was the renewed commitment from leaders to invest in education and ensure every child, especially every girl, has access to learning opportunities.
The day was also filled with emotional moments between girls and their families.
“I'm thrilled to share my artwork with you all here,” exclaimed Sonam Yadav, a SAGE learner at Shree Ram SAGE center in Siraha. Sonam was excited to share her journey and aspirations, “In my free time, I enjoy drawing. I started pursuing this hobby when I joined the SAGE Centre. After SAGE, I want to go back to school. I also want to ask my parents to help me pursue a career as a painter.”
After watching Sonam’s performance, her father, Rabindra Yadav, proudly praised her talents. “I am sorry I never asked her what she wanted to do before. Now that I know this, it is my duty to accomplish her goal,” he said earnestly- adding a promise to support her education no matter the circumstances.
The 2,314 SAGE girls participating in Balika Sabha across Madhesh are the most recent cohort of the 40,000 girls who have gone through the SAGE programme. With support from the Government of Nepal, UNICEF, Social Organization District Coordination Committee (SODCC), Let Us Learn, Finland and the EU, these girls will be eligible to enrol in formal school this year.
For UNICEF and its partners, girls’ education is not just a priority - it is a right that belongs to every girl, everywhere.
