Sex Education in Schools as Experts and Lawmakers Push
In a bid to curb new HIV infections, adolescent pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases among school-aged children, health experts are partnering with MPs to advocate for the introduction of sex education in schools.
This recommendation comes shortly after religious leaders expressed their opposition to the idea. Ruth Laibon, CEO of the National Syndemic Diseases Control Council (NSDCC), pointed out that numerous girls are leaving school due to adolescent pregnancies, which in turn contributes to a cycle of poverty within their communities.
Prof. Nduati stressed the importance of active parental involvement in the lives of adolescent children. She called upon the church and community to take a proactive role in sexual education to protect youth from HIV/AIDS.
These viewpoints were shared during a press conference in Mombasa prior to the Maisha Conference, which aimed to evaluate the progress in the battle against HIV/AIDS. While some religious leaders proposed the use of chaplains for student counseling, Jane Maina, the woman representative of Kirinyaga, advocated for the incorporation of comprehensive health, wellness, and sex education as integral subjects in school curricula.
Support for this motion also came from Naomi Waqo of Marsabit and Phyllis Bartoo of Moiben.
Dr. Laibon highlighted the concerning statistic that around 260,000 girls left school within a year due to attending antenatal clinics during pregnancy. This alarming trend translates to nearly 2.7 million girls seeking healthcare facilities for childbirth in less than six years.
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Prof. Ruth Nduati, an expert in epidemiology and pediatrics, emphasized that the legal age for consensual sex in Kenya is 18. Despite this, the concept of children lacking legal consent rights during their childhood is often overlooked. This concept is intended to promote abstinence as a preventive measure against sexually transmitted infections among minors.
The expert pointed to positive trends showcased by data from the Kenya Demographic Health Survey, indicating that the age of sexual initiation has risen to 17 for boys and 18 for girls. Prof. Nduati stated that delaying sexual debuts protects children from sexually transmitted diseases by keeping them engaged in schoolwork.
Furthermore, research has demonstrated that early sexual debuts can significantly impact an individual’s ability to achieve their human potential, leading to negative consequences like school dropout, susceptibility to gender-based violence, and the perpetuation of the poverty cycle.
Sex Education in Schools as Experts and Lawmakers Push
