--- title: Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam date: 2021-10-26T10:36:00-04:00 author: Mike Mella canonical_url: "https://healthbridge.ca/projects/improving-reproductive-health-and-preventing-child-marriage-in-nepal-and-vietnam" section: Projects --- #### Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health & Rights ### Past Project Location: Son La province, Vietnam; Kalikot District, Nepal Timeline: August 2021 – August 2025 Partners: - International Nepal Fellowship - Centre for Creative Initiatives in Health and Population - HealthBridge Vietnam Donors: - Government of Canada ### Related Impact Stories [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/53431/beautiful-mountains-with-snowy-peaks-at-sunny-morn-2026-01-07-00-37-59-utc.webp) #### Trained health workers bring services closer to home ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/trained-health-workers-bring-services-closer-to-home) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/52004/Padma-at-HMG-Mtg.webp) #### The Story of Padma: Strengthening Healthcare Access in Nepal ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/the-story-of-padma-strengthening-healthcare-access-in-nepal) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/50003/Delivery-service-after-receiving-the-training.webp) #### Strengthening safe deliveries in remote Nepal ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/strengthening-safe-deliveries-in-remote-nepal) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/46722/mother-Group-meeting.webp) #### Empowering Communities: The Impact of a Dedicated Female Community Health Volunteer in Kalikot ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/empowering-communities-the-impact-of-a-dedicated-female-community-health-volunteer-in-kalikot) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/43932/Conversation-with-project-team-2.webp) #### Empowering Adolescents: Transforming Futures in Son La ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/empowering-adolescents-transforming-futures-in-son-la) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/42866/Binita-participating-Mothers-group.webp) #### Empowering Mothers for Health and Well-being: Binita’s Story ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/empowering-mothers-for-health-and-well-being-binitas-story) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/39411/Sunita-during-the-114th-International-womens-daycelebration-program.webp) #### Empowering Women through Education, Activism, and Community Engagement: The Inspiring Journey of Sunita Bista ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/empowering-women-through-education-activism-and-community-engagement-the-inspiring-journey-of-sunita-bista) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/38664/IMG_3898.webp) #### Community Health Educator Spotlight – Mr. Lo Van Anh, Youth leader from the Chieng Den Commune ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/community-health-educator-spotlight-mr-lo-van-anh-youth-leader-from-the-chieng-den-commune) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/36823/Day02_001.webp) #### Refresher training for Community Health workers and educators in Son La Province ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/refresher-training-for-community-health-workers-and-educators-in-son-la-province) [ ![Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal and Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/_640x640_crop_center-center_90_none/33491/WhatsApp-Image-2022-11-11-at-07.20.09.webp) #### Introducing Comprehensive Sexuality Education in Vietnam ](https://healthbridge.ca/impact-stories/introducing-comprehensive-sexuality-education-in-vietnam) #### Project ### Description The goal of this project was to improve access to and quality of reproductive health services for adolescent girls and women of reproductive age in the Kalikot district of Nepal and the Son La province of Vietnam. Working closely with local partners, International Nepal Fellowship (INF) in Nepal and CDC Son La in Vietnam, the Project aimed to improve health and gender equality (GE) among adolescent girls and women as well as reduce the incidence of child marriages, a form of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The Project took an integrated and holistic approach to empower local adolescent girls and women to exercise their reproductive rights and ensure access to health and reproductive services when needed. #### Project ### Expected Results - Improved reproductive health and reduced incidence of child marriage in target communities through increased agency of women and girls and increased utilization of quality, gender-sensitive and inclusive health services by adolescent girls and women. - Increased knowledge and improved attitudes among community champions, women & men on the importance of timely and appropriate health services, including sexual and productive health (SRH) services, and gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and the impacts of SGBV; - Enhanced knowledge & skills among adolescent girls and boys in schools and the community related to comprehensive rights-based & evidence-based sexuality and relationship education; - Improved health facilities for women of reproductive age and adolescent girls and boys including protocols, equipment, resources and supplies; - Increased capacity of services providers and government health staff to deliver quality, gender-responsive and inclusive health services, including SRH services, for women of reproductive age and adolescent girls & boys. #### Project ### Achieved Outcomes The project achieved a number of important outcomes including improved access to and utilization of quality sexual, reproductive, maternal and child health (SRMCH) services, improved knowledge and attitude among men and women in the community and adolescents on the importance of timely and appropriate health services, including SRH services, gender equality, SRHR and the impacts of SGBV and improved confidence among women and girls about making decisions related to SRMCH. - In both Nepal and Vietnam, health facilities were improved and provided with equipment and supplies. In Nepal, three Basic Health Service Centres were upgraded into birthing centres, thus increasing the number of birthing centres in the region from two to five. - In both Nepal and Vietnam health workers received training such as skilled birth attendant training and implant training to improve the range and quality of SRMCH services they deliver. - The number of women and adolescent girls who utilized key SRMCH services such as antenatal care and postnatal care increased in both counties. - Women and adolescent girls in Vietnam reported improved confidence in making decision about SRMCH such as feeling confident to actively seek information and services related to SRH and feeling confident to ask their partner to use birth control. - Knowledge and attitudes among men and women in on a number of SRMCH topics improved in both countries including knowing the appropriate number of antenatal care visits and the importance of supporting women during their pregnancies. - Improved knowledge and attitudes among adolescents in both countries on a number of SRHR topics such as knowledge about conception, contraception and the legal age of marriage. ![](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/images/GAC-Visual-identity.jpg) #### Project ### Publications [ ![Understanding the roots: Local stakeholders’ insights on the causes and challenges in combating child marriage in mountainous Karnali, Nepal](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/library/thumbs/_440xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none/49677/journal.pgph.0004323.pdf-49676.webp) ### Understanding the roots: Local stakeholders’ insights on the causes and challenges in combating child marriage in mountainous Karnali, Nepal Author: Nished Rijal, Behnoush Ahranjani, Padma Hitan, Sian Fitzgerald. Regions: Asia Type: Journal Article Languages: English ](https://healthbridge.ca/library/understanding-the-roots-local-stakeholders-insights-on-the-causes-and-challenges-in-combating-child-marriage-in-mountainous-karnali-nepal) [ ![Brief: Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/library/thumbs/_440xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none/52357/Final-Vietnam-Brief_Sept2025.pdf-52356.webp) ### Brief: Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Vietnam Author: HealthBridge Regions: Vietnam Languages: English ](https://healthbridge.ca/library/improving-reproductive-health-and-preventing-child-marriage-in-vietnam) [ ![Brief: Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/library/thumbs/_440xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none/52437/English_Nepal-Brief.pdf-52376.webp) ### Brief: Improving reproductive health and preventing child marriage in Nepal Author: HealthBridge Regions: Asia Type: Other Report Languages: English ](https://healthbridge.ca/library/brief-improving-reproductive-health-and-preventing-child-marriage-in-nepal) [ ![Infographic: Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Improves Knowledge and Confidence Among Youth](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/library/thumbs/_440xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none/52430/Final_CSE-Infographic-2025.pdf-52429.webp) ### Infographic: Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) Improves Knowledge and Confidence Among Youth Author: HealthBridge Regions: Vietnam Type: Other Languages: English ](https://healthbridge.ca/library/infographic-comprehensive-sexuality-education-cse-improves-knowledge-and-confidence-among-youth) #### Project ### Reports [ ![Improving Reproductive Health & Preventing Child Marriage in Nepal and Vietnam: Vietnam Midline Check-in](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/library/thumbs/_440xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none/45388/SMO_Vietnam_Midline_Report_02July2024_FINAL-1.pdf-45387.webp) ### Improving Reproductive Health & Preventing Child Marriage in Nepal and Vietnam: Vietnam Midline Check-in Author: Health Bridge Regions: Asia, Vietnam Type: Other Report Languages: English ](https://healthbridge.ca/library/improving-reproductive-health-preventing-child-marriage-in-nepal-and-vietnam-vietnam-midline-check-in) [ ![Endline Assessment Report: Improving Reproductive Health and Preventing Child Marriage in Vietnam](https://healthbridge.ca/dist/library/thumbs/_440xAUTO_crop_center-center_90_none/52466/Final_Vietnam_Endline-assessment_Report_08Oct205.pdf-52465.webp) ### Endline Assessment Report: Improving Reproductive Health and Preventing Child Marriage in Vietnam Author: HealthBridge Regions: Vietnam Type: Final Report Languages: English ](https://healthbridge.ca/library/endline-assessment-report-improving-reproductive-health-and-preventing-child-marriage-in-vietnam)