Development as dignity: An exploratory study of Samvad as a curriculum in Rupandehi district of Nepal

Abstract

Dignity being intrinsic to human beings, role of dignity as a value framework in development discourse has not been widely researched. Theorizing development without dignity will remain incomplete if we do not open the black box of how dignity manifests. In this context, the study aims to understand the mechanism of dignity among marginalized adolescent girls in Nepal. From August 2023 to December 2023, semi-structured interviews with six Samvad graduates were conducted. The analysis confirms that dignity can take shape through an issue-based curriculum intersecting parents and youngsters in society through adolescent girls. These findings will contribute to the ‘development as dignity’ discourse and provide practitioners and policymakers with a new mindset. Key Words: Development as dignity, Samvad, Adolescent girls, Issue-based curriculum