FOREWORD: Promoting Access to Sexuality Education for All: The Way Forward

The second edition of Sexuality in Africa Magazine focuses on Access to Sexuality Education. Because they largely ignored the fact or did not plan appropriately, the development challenges posed by human sexuality in the current epoch has taken many African institutions by surprise, so to speak. African countries sooner or later have to face up to the reality that the greater percentage of Africa’s population today is made up of adolescents and young people. While this mass constitutes a potential development force, it can only contribute its quota to socio-economic development when individuals have knowledge and skills to protect themselves and enable them live healthy lives.

Societies and institutions have failed the young people by shaming and silencing sexuality and related issues. If so many adolescents are being infected with HIV and STIs, if many girls are experiencing unwanted pregnancies and risky abortions, if many girls and boys are engaging in sexual intercourse at an early age, if many adolescents are sexually abused and exploited, it is largely because adults and the social institutions they control have failed the young people. Adolescents need sound knowledge, accurate information and relevant skills to face the various challenges of growing up and to be able to express their sexuality in a healthy, pleasurable and responsible manner. 

Comprehensive sexuality education that fully covers all aspects and forms of human sexuality and addresses the various dimensions of sexual health and well-being is required to help African adolescents grow up to be fully responsible and caring sexual beings.

Sincerely,

Richmond Tiemoko, Ph.D.
Director
FEATURE: Between the “Blindfold” and Reality: Impact of Culture on Sexuality Education of Young People in Madagascar’s Betsimisaraka Region

One major taboo in all the regions of Madagascar is that sexual intercourse – or even mere mention of it – between relatives of opposite sexes, is strictly forbidden. Cousins, even very remotely related, who wish to marry, must go through strictly regulated rituals to make their union acceptable. The result, as far as could be observed among the Betsimisaraka ethnic group in the town of Toamasina and the village of Beforona, is a sharp contrast between the strenuous efforts made by male relatives 'not to see' the sexual activities of female relatives, and the great sexual freedom enjoyed by virtually every group of the population, regardless of their age, gender or status. Read full article. By Mireille Rabenoro
ISSUE IN FOCUS: Incorporating Youth and Provider Perspectives in the Design of Youth-Friendly Services in Nigeria

Efforts have been made around the world to promote sexual and reproductive health education for adolescents to delay sexual activity, increase contraceptive use, decrease rates of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections, as well as unwanted pregnancies. Greater attention is also being given to creating youth-friendly SRH services (YFS). An evaluation of 39 interventions found that such programmes influenced young people’s knowledge and attitudes more than their behaviours. However, YFS strategies can contribute to increased clinic use and adolescents’ satisfaction with services. Read full article.
By Maria de Bruyn & Ejike Oji
RESEARCH NOTES: Result of Formative Evaluation of the National Sexuality Education Curriculum in Nigeria

Researchers and programmers have identified and proffered Sexuality Education as a useful tool for equipping adolescents with accurate, crucial information and skills related to sexuality. A formative evaluation of the newly developed National Sexuality Education (NSE) Curriculum in Nigeria was conducted. This was done at the field-trial stage of the curriculum development. This study was designed to examine the effects of the NSE on students’ knowledge of and attitude towards sexuality issues, taking into consideration effects of antecedent variables of gender, religious leaning and students’ background, among other things. The conclusion is that if sexuality information is made accessible to Nigerian adolescents in both rural and urban areas, this would invariably become a significant tool to combat and curb the spread of HIV/ADS in the country; especially among adolescents who have higher vulnerability and are the future of the nation. Read full article. By Yinka Falola-Anoemuah

VIEWPOINT:
Porno, Peers and Pleasure: Pertinent Sources of Sexuality Education for Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa

My ethnographic research about sexuality, sexual behaviour and reproductive health in both East and West Africa reveals that it is important to unravel and harness adolescent emic understandings of sexuality as a pleasurable, accessible, beneficial and natural experience; in order for adolescent sexuality education campaigns to be appropriate, appreciated and applied by the recipients. Otherwise, adolescents will continue to seek out and rely on more pertinent and, perhaps, inaccurate sources of sexuality information: namely pornography, peers and pleasurable experiences which appeal more to pubescent curiosity. Read full article.     By Stella Nyanzi 

REGION WATCH:
Promoting Adolescents’ Access to Sexuality Education: Challenges and Rewards

Action Health Incorporated (AHI) envisions a Nigeria where young girls and boys would grow up to assume control over their lives and are guaranteed access to basic information, skills and services to enhance their sexual and reproductive health and rights. In actualising this vision, one of AHI’s flagship pilot project is its community advocacy and teacher training for the implementation of the National Sexuality Education Curriculum. Read full article.

BOOK REVIEW:
Improving Adolescent Reproductive Health Programmes in Africa: Lessons from Kenya

By Muganda-Oyando R. et al
The publication documents the main lessons learned and experiences from the Kenya Family Health Programme (KFHP) that was implemented by the Government of Kenya in collaboration with NGOs between 1997 and 2002. The programme aimed to “increase utilisation and improve quality of family planning information and services” and was targeted at different age groups. The publication makes interesting and easy reading and is recommended for programme implementers and all those who are working to promote the access of adolescents to youth-friendly and effective sexual and reproductive health programmes. Read full article.