By: Aruna Kamara (BO)
The Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society Sierra Leone (WAVES), has concluded a three-day comprehensive sexuality education(CSE) training of 25 teachers representing Six(6) Junior Secondary Schools in Bo.
The training which was held from the 28th to 30th November 2022 at the Manjama Institute of Agriculture, was geared towards creating opportunities for teachers to have a common understanding of sex education, brainstorm on age appropriate information and discuss how schools can strengthen the teaching of CSE in their regular or extracurricular activities.
Ame Atsu David, the Training Content Developer and Capacity Building Specialist said ‘’Sexuality Education should be part and parcel of our role as parents whether we are Christians, Muslims, animists or atheists”. She added that it is good to educate kids or pupils to know and value all parts of their body including their sexual organs (vulva, vagina, penis, clitoris, scrotum, labia minora and labia majora etc).
She said that God is the creator of these sexual organs just like the other parts of the body. She noted that Contrary to what many people claim, research carried out at national and international levels has demonstrated that well-structured and taught comprehensive sexuality education leads to delayed sexual initiation; reduced risk-taking; reduced unplanned pregnancy or teen pregnancy, less unsafe abortion and improved attitudes related to sexual and reproductive health.
‘’While the training was very informative and interactive, it left us in no doubt that the participants are interested in working with WAVES-SL on strengthening the teaching of CSE,’’ she said.
Alice H. Brima who is a teacher at St. Paul’s Anglican Secondary School Bo said that with the knowledge gained from this training, they are obliged to talk to their children or pupils about sex/sexuality; so that they don’t get the wrong information from their friends or elsewhere.
She said that WAVE-SL should be commended for this enlightening activity” also Many thanks to Global Fund for Children for the support with funds in getting this off ground, and also to Ame Atsu David for developing the training content.
The Communications Officer of WAVES- SL Alusine Rogers, said sexuality education for boys and girls remains at the core of their reviewed programs and safe spaces established in schools and communities. “Just break the taboo and you will see how boys and girls can make informed decisions about their sexual autonomy and bodily integrity”, he said.