August 16, 2025, Kanchanpur – Saathi continues its commitment to empowering adolescent girls and boys as change agents to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and challenge harmful gender stereotypes that limit their growth and opportunities. As part of its ongoing initiative under the GOAL (Generating Ownership, Awareness, and Liberation) Project, Saathi organized a three-day Training of Trainers (TOT) for peer educators from Krishnapur and Shuklaphanta Municipalities of Kanchanpur. The training was conducted in Jhalari, Kanchanpur, from 14 to 16 August 2025.
Building Knowledge and Skills for Change
The training aimed to equip young students with the knowledge and skills necessary to promote gender equality and safeguard their peers. Sessions covered a broad range of topics, including:
- Biological and social roles
- Distinctions between sex, gender, and gender identity
- Forms of GBV and gender-responsive behavior (GRB)
- Interpersonal relationships and consent
- Child protection
By strengthening their understanding of these themes, the initiative prepared adolescents to become effective peer educators capable of fostering safe, respectful, and inclusive environments in their schools and communities.
Reflections from Participants
Participants actively engaged in the sessions, sharing their personal reflections and insights. They expressed that:
- They had developed a deeper understanding of how gender roles can restrict opportunities and reinforce inequalities under the guise of culture, religion, and prestige.
- The training helped them distinguish between healthy and unhealthy interpersonal relationships, enhancing their ability to recognize signs of abuse or discomfort.
- They felt motivated to apply their learning in real-life settings by taking leadership roles to combat GBV, challenge harmful gender stereotypes, and advocate for gender equality.
Strengthening Peer Educators’ Leadership
A total of 30 students from community schools in the project areas participated in the training, which was facilitated by Mr. Debilal Upadhyaya. The initiative not only strengthened the participants’ knowledge and confidence but also enhanced their potential to serve as peer educators and role models for positive social change.
Through such initiatives, Saathi—under the GOAL program with support from AEIN Luxembourg—continues to nurture adolescent leadership in advancing gender equality and creating safer, more inclusive communities.
