Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) lays the foundation for healthy adolescence, say experts. Photo: Pixabay
Comprehensive and reliable sex education is needed in schools in order to curb social issues such as sexual grooming, teenage pregnancies, child marriage and online and offline sexual violence, says Unicef representative to Malaysia and special representative to Brunei Darussalam Dr Rashed Mustafa Sarwar.
“In Malaysia, lack of access to effective comprehensive sexuality education is recognised as a driver of child marriage. Evidence and experience show that many of these cases of teen pregnancy and child marriage could have been prevented if children and young people had access to reliable and comprehensive, age appropriate reproductive health education,” says Dr Rashed.
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Why sex education in schools is important
Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) lays the foundation for healthy adolescence, say experts. Photo: Pixabay
The townhall brought together young people and parents in Malaysia, with the Federation of Reproductive Health Associations Malaysia (FRHAM), r.AGE and Unicef to call for accurate, non-judgmental and age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) for every child. Photo: Pixabay
We also need to empower our teachers and school counsellors to implement the curriculum in an appropriate and non-judgmental manner especially on issues regarding contraceptives, safe sex, and when an unplanned pregnancy occurs, says Dr Rashed. Photo: Unicef
CSE can also be implemented among adults and out-of-school youth to improve behaviour and encourage dialogue on gender relations, which helps them understand why gender violence and sexual harassment is so wrong, says Dr Kamal. Photo: Unicef
CSE helps ensure that young people have access to the specific information and skills they need to safely and consensually explore, experience, and protect their sexuality and sexual rights. Photo: Pixabay
A gap in Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) will result in rising numbers of teenage pregnancies - a health risk to girls that directly impacts their rights to education. Photo: Pixabay
