Let's talk about sex: Why having sex education in schools is so important

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.

According to the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) 2017, children and young people have poor access to sexual and reproductive health and research (SRH) information and services. They have limited access to: firstly, information on safe sex, contraceptives, adoption; secondly, termination of pregnancies (that are permissible under the law and certain circumstances such as rape), shelters for unwed mothers, and baby hatches; and thirdly, support and counselling.

“In an age when the internet is giving our children sex advice faster than we can blink; and in a time where they are forced to stay home and online for the majority of the day due to the pandemic, it is more crucial than ever that educators, parents, and the community come together to provide safe avenues for young people seeking information and keen to express themselves,” says Dr Rashed in his keynote address delivered during the recent ‘Chup! Jom Sembang Seks’ virtual townhall held in conjunction with World Children’s Day which was celebrated on Nov 20.

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.

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

It was held to raise awareness on the importance of meeting children and young people’s sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in response to social issues such as sexual grooming, teenage pregnancies, child marriage, as well as both online and offline sexual violence.

CSE lays the foundation for healthy adolescence. It is a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality. Its aim is to equip children and young people with knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that will empower them to: realise their health, well-being and dignity; develop respectful relationships; consider how their choices affect their own well-being and that of others; as well as understand and ensure the protection of their rights.

‘’Young people need adequate education and information on SRHR that will effectively empower them to make better informed choices for themselves now and in the future when they become adults,’’ said FRHAM chairperson Dr Kamal Kenny.

In 2017, the Ministry of Health through the Public Health Institute published a National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) that surveyed 212 nation-wide schools with feedback of 27,497 pupils on their health and nutrition, and discovered that: over 30% were sexually active before the age of 14, and 16.6% of adolescents reported having had sexual intercourse with at least two partners.

The number of antenatal cases among adolescents registered with the Ministry of Health primary healthcare facilities revealed over 10,000 pregnancy cases in teens (2018) and 15,000 child marriages in the past 10 years.

“The consequences of this gap in CSE services is the rising numbers of teenage pregnancy – a health risk to girls that directly impacts their rights to education, while social and cultural acceptance exposes them to the increased risks of child marriage to avoid giving birth outside of marriage,” says Dr Rashed.

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.

“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. Most importantly, we must teach our children how and where to seek help when they need it,” he says.

Also, while there are institutions that can provide support, parents have an important role to play and should be the first point of call for their children on such issues. Evidence tells us that open communications between parents and their children about sexual reproductive health is pertinent in order to keep them safe, reveals Dr Rashed.

“Children should to be able to go to their parents, and parents should be ready with the right knowledge and attitude to provide them care, advice and support they need,” he says.

“CSE should be comprehensive and address questions such as gender equity, gender based violence. Furthermore, for classroom teaching, it requires well-trained, gender sensitive teachers and educational materials. Using new technologies favoured by young people such as the internet, mobile phone and text messaging will be more effective,” he adds.

Delivering CSE through both formal and non-formal education - both in and out of school settings - is key to making sure that all children, adolescents, and young people (including the most vulnerable groups) have access to the specific information and skills they need to safely and consensually explore, experience, and protect their sexuality and sexual rights, he says.

SRHR is based on the rights and ability of all individuals to decide over their own bodies, and to live healthy and productive lives. So, while CSE is important for the young, it shouldn’t be limited to just those in school, says Dr Kamal.

Comprehensive sex education can also be implemented among adults and out-of-school youth to improve behaviour and encourage dialogue on gender relations, which will help them understand why gender violence and sexual harassment is so wrong, says Dr Kamal. Photo: Unicef

“It can be successfully implemented among adults and out-of-school youth to improve behaviour and encourage dialogue on gender relations. This will enable them understand why gender violence and sexual harassment is so wrong,” he says.

During the townhall, Children’s Commissioner Professor Datuk Noor Aziah Mohd Awal presented a Situation of Children’s Access to SRHR in Malaysia; while youth SRHR advocate Khadijah Ashaariim from FRHAM moderated the intergenerational dialogue between teacher Stephen Isaac Ponnudurai, parent Niza Sharifudin and youths Sharrada Segeran (Girl Guides Associations Malaysia) and Muhammad Naufal (Asia Pacific Regional Scout Youth Representative).

The ‘Chup! Jom Sembang Seks’ campaign also included four virtual townhalls in September and October for 600 young people aged 13 to 25 years old. It created the ANA chatbot for young people to access accurate sexual reproductive health information, as well as hotlines and guidance on how to make a police report.

Young people can access the ANA chatbot via ChatWithANA or WhatsApp at 03-5633 7514.