Comprehensive Sexuality Education: Debunking the Myths
An Article by Dibya Dahal
Despite being one of the countries in South Asia where CSE has been introduced in the school curriculum in a formal manner, our Education System often fails at giving the right guidance to young people on Comprehensive Sexuality Education. The terminology is usually considered as a taboo in the Nepali society and as a consequence young minds are misguided, entrapped and psychologically impacted by different body and well-being related issues. The connotation related with the term “sex” is supposed to be a matter of shame and sin to a lot of people. Therefore, teachings about sexual health and body anatomy are poor in the context of our country.
UNESCO defines sexuality as a core dimension of being human which includes: the understanding of, and relationship to, the human body; emotional attachment and love; sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual intimacy, pleasure and reproduction. The term has a very wide dimension and it keeps on revolving over a lifespan of a person. The Comprehensive Sexuality Education advocates mostly on sexual and reproductive anatomy and physiology, contraception, pregnancy, childbirth, sexually transmitted diseases like HIV and Aids including puberty and menstruation. In addition to that, CSE aims at addressing the emotional and psychological issues relating to these terms and others like consent, bodily integrity, human right, sexual abuse, child and forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Topics like contraception, STIs, and pregnancy prevention are also included in comprehensive sexuality education. Our health and future goals depend on our ability to prevent STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Making educated decisions regarding our sexual health is facilitated by having a thorough understanding of the various forms of contraception and how to use them.
Diversity and inclusion education is a key component of comprehensive sexuality education. It teaches us to embrace rather than to be ashamed of our differences because everyone is unique. It helps us recognize and value the diversity of human experience by including talks on gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Young people are often vulnerable and susceptible to risky sexual behaviors as a result of inadequate knowledge on sexual and reproductive health. According to the statistics by Ministry of Health and Population, about 17% of adolescents become mothers to infants between the age of 15-19 years in the context of Nepal. While young girls are often faced with unintended pregnancies as a result of unsafe sexual behaviors, they are completely unaware about postpartum and maternity care. At the same time, early pregnancy often leads to physical, psychological and spiritual challenges.
Parents and Family Members do have a significant role in delivering knowledge on sexual health to their children. A parent-child communication related to sexual and reproductive health is considered most fruitful and effective. However, Asian parents are often reluctant in ensuring that their children get proper guidance and counselling regarding sexuality education. The consequences of neglecting sexual education among children fails to prepare them for adulthood. Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare treatments may be hampered for young people by legal constraints, discrimination, stigma, and a lack of confidentiality. This may make it impossible for individuals to get necessary treatments including prenatal care, STI testing and treatment, and contraception.
In general, youth’s lack of awareness about SRHR can have serious repercussions on their physical and mental health as well as their general quality of life. Encouraging youth to make educated decisions, safeguard their health and rights, and lead satisfying lives requires comprehensive sexuality education and access to SRHR services. A curriculum based teaching on sexual and reproductive health is very important for the well-being of young minds. Since topics like these are still treated as a taboo in the societal level, schools and other educational institutions can contribute in educating the young people about such issues. However, our curriculum at school is only limited to sexual and reproductive health. It does not include any other aspects of Comprehensive Sexuality Education and the most important matters are kept untouched. There aren’t any topics that introduce students to vulnerable youth groups including LGBTQ+, young people living in humanitarian settings, young people addicted to drugs and other harmful substances, young people living with HIV and young transgender people.
We can support young people in making better decisions and forming wholesome relationships by giving them accurate, age-appropriate information on sexuality. The goal of comprehensive sexuality education is to provide young people with the information and skills they need to make their own decisions and deal with the challenges of growing up, not to advance a specific set of values or views. Comprehensive sexuality education is more crucial than ever in a society where sexual misinformation is pervasive. It gives youth the tools they need to take charge of their lives and bodies, enabling them to grow up to be self-assured, knowledgeable, and healthy adults. Thus, let’s encourage thorough sexuality education in communities and schools to give all young people the resources they require to succeed.
Comprehensive sexuality education, in contrast to popular belief, does not promote youth sexual engagement. On the other hand, studies show that it is linked to a postponed sexual debut and a decrease in risk-taking. Sexuality education equips youth to make responsible decisions consistent with their values and beliefs by disseminating accurate information and encouraging positive attitudes toward sexuality. Comprehensive sexuality education is a light of knowledge and empowerment in a world saturated with false information and harmful impacts about sexuality. By providing them with the necessary tools, it helps young people make healthy and satisfying decisions and confidently face life’s obstacles.
Therefore, supporting comprehensive sexuality education is an investment in the empowerment and well-being of future generations as well as a way to support reproductive health. Supporting comprehensive sexuality education in communities and schools will help to guarantee that all young people have access to the information and tools necessary to prosper in a world that is becoming more and more complicated. After all, the cornerstone of a more equal and healthy society is an informed and capable youth. In a nutshell, comprehensive sexuality education is a crucial part of holistic education that equips youth to face the challenges of adulthood with resilience and confidence. It establishes the groundwork for wholesome, courteous interactions and thoughtful decision-making by supporting bodily autonomy, encouraging life skills, disseminating factual information, and valuing variety. Therefore, supporting comprehensive sexuality education is a commitment to raising well-rounded people who can flourish in a diverse and interconnected society in addition to encouraging sexual health.
Bio of the writer: Dibya Dahal is an undergraduate student living in Kathmandu with keen interest in writing. She has worked as a newspaper columnist and a content writer for publications in Nepal. Her hobbies include reading books and travelling. She is also actively engaged in organizations supporting mental wellbeing and sexual and reproductive health rights of adolescents.