By Kelvin Mokaya
Sexuality education is one of the most important aspects of education for children. The international technical guidance of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on sexuality education emphasizes the need for comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) programs that aim to equip children and young people with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to make responsible choices about their sexual and social relationships in the world. CSE programs are scientifically accurate, culturally and age-appropriate, gender-sensitive, and life skills-based. Sexuality education should not be assumed to begin in adolescence, which would sometimes be referred as puberty. Sexuality begins at birth, and talking about sex and sexuality with children should be a continuous process. Sexuality education if started early in childhood may help children develop a sense of themselves and their bodies (bodily autonomy) while strengthening their self-confidence and helping them take charge of their lives. Sexuality education is critical in the development of a healthy life; it is both formal (e.g., school-based curricula and health professionals) and informal (e.g., parents /caregivers, internet, and peers).
Parents play a key role in educating their children about sexuality. They could offer sexuality education sequentially and provide time-sensitive information as they receive questions from their children at home. CSE programs at school can help children and young people maintain sexuality and relationship health in physical, emotional, spiritual, and social adaptation. The impact of CSE lessons at school depends on the support of parents at home, such as clarifying concepts and helping children apply their new knowledge and skills in daily life. Moreover, one of the most important extended environments affecting the learning activities of their children in sexuality is the teaching of parents at home. Children and young people often want to learn about sexuality matters from their parents. Young children are curious about the issues related to sexuality and ask their parents questions about body differences between boys and girls, where babies come from, how babies are made, and so on. When parents talk about sexuality issues with their children at an early age, they have the opportunity to foster safe and healthy attitudes toward sexuality. Therefore, the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of parents would have very strong influences on the formation of sound sex-related values in their children.
Well-designed and well-delivered sexuality education programs support positive decision-making around sexual health. Evidence shows that young people are more likely to initiate sexual activity later – and when they do have sex, to practice safer sex – when they are better informed about sexuality, sexual relations and their rights.
By providing children and young people with adequate knowledge about their rights, and what is and is not acceptable behavior, sexuality education makes them less vulnerable to abuse. A good thing, right?
The UN’s international guidance calls for children between the age of 5 and 8 years to recognize bullying and violence, and understand that these are wrong. It calls for children aged 12–15 years to be made aware that sexual abuse, sexual assault, intimate partner violence and bullying are a violation of human rights and are never the victim’s fault. Finally, it calls for older adolescents – those aged 15–18 – to be taught that consent is critical for a positive sexual relationship with a partner. Children and young people should also be taught what to do and where to go if problems like violence and abuse occur. Through such an approach, sexuality education improves children’s and young people’s ability to react to abuse, to stop abuse and, finally, to find help when they need it.
There is clear evidence that abstinence-only programs – which instruct young people to not have sex outside of marriage – are ineffective in preventing early sexual activity and risk-taking behavior, and potentially harmful to young people’s sexual and reproductive health. CSE therefore addresses safer sex, preparing young people – after careful decision-making – for intimate relationships that may include sexual intercourse or other sexual activity. Evidence shows that such an approach is associated with later onset of sexual activity, reduced practice of risky sexual behaviors (which also helps reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted infections), and increased contraception use.As a country, we should ensure that the Bill on comprehensive sexuality education that is currently in the legislative chambers, becomes a law of the land, which will realize developmental programs that meet young people’s sexual and reproductive health needs.
Kelvin Mokaya, is a sexual and reproductive health and rights expert at NAYA Kenya
