Year: 2022 - Ongoing
Supported by: UNFPA Nepal
Major Component: Advocacy, CSE
The National CSE Advocacy Coalition is a network of organizations working in the field of Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE). The project has been under the technical support of UNFPA Nepal. The coalition was established in 2022, where each second year of the tenure the new Co-chair is elected from the core working group while the previously appointed Co-chair takes the responsibility of the secretariat. In 2023-24, the secretariat position is secured by Visible Impact and Co-chair by Social Changemakers and Innovators (Sochai). The coalition aims to consolidate, coordinate, and improve collaboration among relevant stakeholders to ensure the creation of an enabling political and socio-cultural environment that supports CSE at the federal, provincial, and local levels, and promotes the delivery of quality CSE that promotes human rights and gender equality in and out of school
The National CSE Advocacy Coalition assessed the status of sexuality education in Nepal by using SERAT, an Excel-based tool. A meeting with the stakeholders was held to collect the data and analyze the strengths and gaps in the sexuality education programs at the primary and secondary school levels. SERAT assessment was a small-scale program conducted in the presence of core working group members, government, and non-government stakeholders.
The strategic planning meeting was conducted on 22-23 August 2022, focusing on the formulation of the multi-year strategic priority, approaches, and activities with the support of the members and external consultants. This strategic document will serve to guide the purpose of the coalition and the specific agendas of the coalition with regard to CSE advocacy. It will also help guide the implementation plans for the upcoming years.
An advocacy brief on CSE was developed to identify and outline the key agendas of advocacy, and priority actions that must be assumed by different actors to support CSE at the federal, provincial, and local levels so as to promote the delivery of quality CSE that is based on human rights approach and emphasizes gender equality in and out of school.
The activities conducted by the National CSE Advocacy Coalition had several positive outcomes and impacts. Firstly, the SERAT assessment provided valuable insights into the state of sexuality education in Nepal. By using the Excel-based tool, stakeholders were able to collect data and analyze the strengths and gaps in sexuality education programs at primary and secondary school levels. Secondly, the strategic planning meeting held in August 2023 resulted in the formulation of a comprehensive multi-year strategic priority for the coalition. This strategic document will guide the coalition's purpose and specific agendas regarding CSE advocacy. It will enhance the effectiveness and impact of coalition efforts, mobilize resources, and provide a roadmap for future activities, ensuring a coherent and impactful approach to advancing comprehensive sexuality education. Lastly, the development of the advocacy brief on CSE outlined key agendas and priority actions required from different actors at various levels of governance. By emphasizing a human rights approach and gender equality, the advocacy brief will serve as a powerful tool to engage policymakers, educators, and communities, promoting the delivery of quality sexuality education both within and outside of school settings. This will contribute to a more inclusive, informed, and sensitive approach to sexuality education in Nepal.
The National CSE Advocacy Coalition launched social media pages on Facebook and Instagram to expand its outreach and ensure that authentic information about CSE reaches a broader audience. These platforms serve as hubs for sharing key information about sexuality education and its various components. The campaign aims to engage participants by offering informative content and fostering interaction through different opportunities such as quizzes and content. By leveraging social media, the coalition is committed to raising awareness, encouraging dialogue, and promoting understanding of the importance of CSE, especially among young people.
The National CSE Advocacy Coalition held its first periodic meeting on September 9, 2024, in the presence of its core working group and expert members. The meeting focused on reviewing the coalition's progress and achievements to date, strengthening the CSE movement, and refining the coalition's advocacy strategies, setting the stage for future initiatives.
A closed meeting was held between the secretariat (Visible Impact) and the Co-chair (Sochai) of the National CSE Advocacy Coalition. The meeting laid the foundation for enhanced collaboration between the secretariat and the co-chair, ensuring better coordination and efficiency in the coalition's ongoing work.
A post-conference round table will be organized to follow up on the commitments made by the government stakeholders during the National Conference on CSE held on 24-25 May 2023. This discussion will serve as a platform for collaborative engagement between the coalition and key government representatives through open dialogue and strategic planning. This initiative aims to foster alignment, accountability, and collective action toward the effective implementation of CSE policies and initiatives by cata;yzing positive change and ensuring the fulfillment of CSE objectives for the benefit of all stakeholders, particularly adolescents and youths.
Following the conclusion of the global youth dialogue as part of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), the National CSE Advocacy Coalition will organize a one-day event dedicated to sharing the outcomes and insights gathered from the ICPD events. This event aims to provide coalition members with a comprehensive understanding of the discussions, resolutions, and commitments made during the ICPZ, particularly concerning CSE and youth perspectives. Through this event, the coalition seeks to strengthen its knowledge base, foster collaboration among members, and enhance its advocacy for CSE within the broader framework of global development goals and commitments.
The coalition also aims to map the organizations previously listed and additional efforts will be made to onboard other organizations interested in contributing to the coalition's objectives.
Through the National CSE Advocacy Coalition, we have actively developed a social media platform with 167 followers, including 154 on Facebook and Instagram respectively. The social media platform accentuates to priorities in providing factual knowledge through informative contents as well as learning opportunities through creativity and innovation. With the active involvement of 18 organizations as the core working group, the National CSE Advocacy Coalition aims to provide authentic and informative knowledge about CSE to enhance decision-making skilld for every individual. The colaition has strategized appropriate agenda to strengthen the movement for CSE.
611, Shrijanshil Marg, Basundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal
phone : +977 9847697791
Email : mail.visim@gmail.com
Website : www.visim.org
Visim envisions creating visible impact on lives of every girl, every woman and every youth by unleashing the social and economic leadership of girls, women and youth through beneficiary-partnered innovative interventions.