Every young person has the right to have the opportunity to choose between their sexual and reproductive health, which might have a profound impact on their lives. Despite this, the vast majority of teenagers lack the information necessary to responsibly make choices of this kind. This leaves them at risk of being coerced, contracting sexually transmitted illnesses, and even experiencing an unexpected pregnancy.
The three-day Comprehensive Sexuality Education out of School Manual Training was organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) through the funds and project of Action Health Incorporated from the 28th to the 30th of October 2022. The training sought to promote the correct information for young people, particularly about their reproductive health and rights. The program aims to provide participants with the skills, information, and attitude necessary to assist young people in discovering and cultivating good values pertaining to their sexual reproductive health and rights. This education emphasizes human rights, gender equality, physical autonomy, and dangers such as discrimination, sexual abuse, and violence and includes conversations about family life, relationships, culture, and gender roles.
The consultant and facilitator of the CSE out-of-school training manual, Haddijatou Ceesay, emphasized the significance of training of this kind because it would make it possible for young people to "startup conversation around issues related to sexual reproductive health, by giving them the opportunity to be informed about their rights and dignity." She went on to say that this would be an entry point for conversations on CSE inside communities. She also emphasized that the manual would eventually be transcribed in an audio-visual format, which will be a rapid step-down technique for other participants who will utilize it in speaking to young people in places that are difficult to reach.
Muhammed Dibassay, a programs officer with Safe Hands for girls who took part in the three-day training, emphasized that "the CSE training has been considered in its capacity to deliver factual knowledge about CSE." According to Muhammad, the first two days expanded his knowledge and awareness of power dynamics, particularly concerning how a society or groups of people, such as government officials or religious leaders, impacts their subordinates. In general, the efforts made throughout the training on CSE to give the participants more information have been tremendous.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) collaborates with national governments to provide comprehensive sex education programs in public and private schools and the population at large via community-based training and outreach. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will continue to advocate for policies that encourage investment in sex education. Because of this, there would be a greater chance to give young people authority to control their own lives. This would be accomplished by reducing the danger that adolescents may adopt hazardous behaviours while encouraging good, protective activities and attitudes.
Media contact: Faith C. Ememodo – UNV Communications Associate ememodo@unfpa.org
