...advocates teaching of sexuality education in schools
A non Governmental Organization, Action Health Incorporated has advised State Governments who are yet to incorporate Sexuality and Reproductive Health Education into their educational curriculum to do so due to it’s benefits to adolescent children.
The Programme Officer, Action Health Incorporated, Fatima Idris gave the advice during the training of In-School and Out-of-school Adolescent Girls on Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) held in Ilawe-Ekiti and supported by the United Nations Population Fund.
According to her, the objective of the programme was to equip the adolescent girls with the right knowledge and skill sets needed to make informed decisions and transition into a healthy and productive adulthood.
She added that the participants would also be empowered to know about their sexual and reproductive health, menstrual hygiene, leadership skills, Gender Based Violence as well as claim rights to their bodily autonomy
The capacity of the girls will also be built as advocates who will through peer-to-peer education and community sensitization, participate in development programmes that will focus on CSE and FGM abandonment in the State.
In their separate remarks, resource persons during the training including, the Executive Director, Gold Heart Foundation, Moyinoluwa Ogundowole and the Executive Director, Foundation for Excellent Living and Development for Youth and Women, Olajumoke Omisore took the students through various skills and ideas on how to be self confident, stand against Gender Based Violence and how to maintain good hygiene.
In a remark, the Commissioner for Health, Ekiti State, Dr. Oyebanji Filani who spoke through the Gender Desk Officer of the Ministry, Mrs. Dupe Amodu advised the participants to pay rapt attention and put into practice the knowledge gained.
She noted that sex education is very imperative so as to protect the girl child from sexually Transmitted Diseases which could endanger their life and future career.
Also, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, represented by FGM Vocal Person, Mr. Tolu Ogunniyi said the Ministry would continue to partner organizations and individuals towards protecting the rights of the girl child and end Gender Based Violence.
The five days programme is expected to be rounded off by Friday.