HIV/AIDS Prevention & Reproductive Health Project

is not encouraged or allowed at all
for girls. These examples show that
even though boys and girls talk
about "equality" and feeling "equal,"
their daily and future life is guided by
culturally entrenched gender roles.
The project addresses gender and
social equity - though to a limited
extent - during Teacher Sponsors
training and PE training to students.
The project trained an equal number
of female PEs, increasing their
number to almost 50%. This increase
in the number of female PEs is
important as naturally many girls feel
shy to talk about SRH issues to a male
teacher, and most of the support
teachers are male. The project has
further contributed to ensuring the
gender balanced representation at the
boards of J/YRCC.
In general there is a very low
representation of female teachers in
schools. Throughout the project the
number of female teachers for the
training was increased. Trained
female teachers account for
approximately 20% of the total. At
times when no female teacher was
available at secondary level, one
from primary level was chosen.
THANKS TO THE RED CROSS PROGRAMME
I am a young girl of 21 years. I live in Khurkot VDC ward no 7, of
Sindhuli district. As I was studying in class 9 at Aambegudin
secondary school, I was introduced to a local boy who was a bus
driver. After my final examination, he proposed me to accompany
him to go to Janakpur. My family and the neighbours were against
this. To make things easier, we got married. In the fourth month of
our marriage, a friend and I participated in the PE training. After
the training I realized I had sexually transmitted infection. I shared
this with my friend, who had a similar problem. She advised me to
visit the health post for treatment. I talked to my husband and we
both went to the health post for treatment. I have explained all
things to the health worker. The health post referred us to district
hospital for treatment of STIs.
SENDING INFORMATION ON HIV TO MY HUSBAND
I am Hira Nepali from Sindhuli district. Often I am too busy with my
household activities, but sometimes I participate in the meetings
organized by the Red Cross Mahila Samuha (Women Group) of our
community. After hearing about issues related to HIV I visited the
field coordinator to talk as my husband works in India. He provided
me with additional information. After my return I asked the
community mobilizer to give me the letter with information on HIV
and AIDS, designed by NRCS. I wanted to send it to my husband
along with the brochure containing information about how to
prevent HIV. I also wrote the correct way of using condoms and its
importance in the letter to my husband.
The project uses selection criteria to
prioritize women from Dalit castes to
participate in the women groups. However,
often this is difficult to fully implement in
practice given that the women from the
lower income groups generally have less
time available. Most of the women groups
include representatives from different caste
groups, including Dalits and ethnic
communities. In some groups however the
majority of group members, and particularly
those in the board, are from higher social
classes. Dalit and ethnic women are largely
'ordinary' members of the group.
Project outcomes
Project activities contributed to increase
participation of girls in classes. Though
generally boys still ask most of the questions,
girls do so increasingly. Teachers and women
note that interaction between boys and girls is
increasing. One example given by a teacher is
that girls and boys started to share the same
benches what they never used to do before.
They also welcome the opportunity in the
mixed trainings to learn about the concerns of
the opposite gender.
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CAPITALIZATION STUDY
HIV/AIDS Prevention and Reproductive Health Project
NRCS/SDC 2000-2007