Comprehensive Sexual Education (CSE) as reflected in Comprehensive Sexual Education; Part 1, gives the youth and adolescents the exposure to Life skills (decision-making skills, communication skills and the development of positive attitudes) that places them at a better place to decide on matters about sex. CSE gives the opportunity to the young people to explore their environment, cultures, and values. It helps them understand the society, family and their own values that build up their self-esteem, self-efficacy and their responsibilities to the society. Not forgetting the key role that CSE plays in building the relationship and interpersonal skills of the young people which equips them with the ability to be responsible for their sexual activities and take into consideration healthy measures. CSE as a program not only focuses on helping the young people understand, explore and appreciate their sexuality, but also they get to learn about their rights and gender equality.
According to Kenyan Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2014, it is reported that 41% of single males and 21% of single females aged 15 to 24 are sexually active. In our recent times, timely and accurate provision of sexual education to our teenagers and youths is fundamental with regards to their Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR). Efforts should be made to different methods of teaching CSE that will allow the young people to have exposure to make better choices about their sexuality.
CSE has faced many barriers to be added in the Kenyan curriculum as it is viewed as a program that encourages the teenagers to engage in sexual activities at a tender age. The policies that are put in place has disadvantaged girls aged between 15 to 19 years that make it impossible for them to receive services of contraception and to cure or prevent Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs). A key focus is given to subjects that are examinable and Life Skills which is to cover CSE is not given much of a priority.
According to Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education, the key concepts, and topics of CSE include;
- Human Development; this concept discusses topics that include, the reproductive system, physical body changes, puberty, sexual orientation, gender identity. It helps the young people understand and appreciate their own body and understand their sexual development and experience.
- Relationships; it involves relationships with families, friendship, love, romantic relationships and dating, marriage and lifetime, raising children. This concept equips the young people with information on developing and maintain meaningful relationships, how they can avoid destructive relationships and be able to make informed choices about the relationships they want to engage in and be also to express love and intimacy in the right ways.
- Personal Skills; it focuses on values, decision-making, communication, assertiveness, negotiation, looking for help. This concept allows the young people to develop critical thinking skills, be able to take responsibility of their own behaviors that may involve sexual relations, learn how to be assertive and make decisions and also appreciate and live by their own values.
- Sexual Behavior; sexuality throughout life, masturbation, shared sexual behavior, sexual abstinence, human sexual response, sexual fantasy, sexual dysfunction. Young people are able to enjoy their sexual feelings without necessarily working on them, they are able to enjoy relationships that are consensual and not destructive. It allows them to express their sexuality according to their values and be able to respect other people’s values. They are also able to differentiate between life-enhancing sexual behaviors and that which are harmful to themselves and those of others.
- Sexual Health; this concept is about reproductive health, contraception, pregnancy and prenatal care, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV and AIDS, Gender and Sexual Based Violence (SGBV), violence, and harassment. This concept equips the young people with information that allows them to practice good health behaviors that include regular check-ups, effective use of contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancies and avoid contracting STIs and HIV. It also gives them skills on how to handle unwanted pregnancies and avoid sexual abuse.
- Society and Culture; the concept is about sexuality and society, gender roles, sexuality and the law, sexuality and religion, diversity, sexuality and the media, sexuality, and arts. The young people are equipped with enough information that they are able to educate others about sexuality, promote Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and also understand the role and the impact of the society, family, school, and the media plays in sexual education.
Though having these concepts as key to teaching CSE in schools, the government and the teachers should ensure that the program is tailor-made to consider the different cultures and experiences of the young people and to assess their attitude on different topics. The curriculum should also consider the students with disabilities and special needs. This information introduced in the curriculum needs well-trained teachers that will influence the effectiveness for the programs. The teachers ought to be non-bias, culturally sensitive, and comfortable with the program, be able to create a safe and learning environment for the young people.
Equipping the young people with CSE improves their ability to implement what they have learned and use it to make better decisions when it comes to their SRHR. The responsibility does not only lie with the teachers but also on the involvement of parents and the community. Parents and guardians can support the programs by reviewing the CSE materials used in schools by teachers.
By: Nyabena Susan
