Empowering the young on sex issues

WE applaud and fully support the Women, Family and Community Development deputy minister Hannah Yeoh’s recent statement on the need for early sex education in view of the rising incidence of unwanted pregnancy and baby dumping cases nationwide.

In particular, we fully agree on the need to institute sex education in and out of schools as a holistic approach in addition to getting parents involved in the critical developmental aspects of our children.

Through our engagement with children over the years, we found that many faced personal issues but are not able to get accurate information to help them due to existing stigma, societal and cultural barriers.

According to data from the Statistics Department, adolescents and children aged 14 and below comprise 24% of the population. In their tumultuous transition to adulthood, coupled with inadequate and in many instances false or inappropriate information, many will experience negative impacts on their physical, social, emotional and mental health development.

Many studies have shown that comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) enables adolescents and young people to acquire accurate, age-appropriate knowledge, and develop attitudes and skills that contribute to safe, healthy and positive relationships with their family, peers, other adults and their communities.

In line with our country’s commitment to the 2030 Development Agenda, we will continue to engage with the government to ensure that CSE, based on the current Unesco guidelines, is offered to in-school and out-of-school adolescents and young people. Our agenda reflects those of the United Nations Development Programme’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) where no one is left behind.

It’s time now to walk the talk and make comprehensive sexuality education accessible to all our young who are the future of this nation.

SHOBA AIYAR President Reproductive Rights Advocacy Alliance Malaysia Kuala Lumpur