Sex education can lead to better prevention of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy and also child mortality.
When sex education is delivered well, this knowledge will respond to this demand, empowering the young in marking informed decisions on relationships and sexuality and navigate a world where gender-based violence and early unwanted pregnancy reign.
To help address this issue of teen pregnancy among lower school primary pupils, society should positively and gradually implement and accept sex education and not treat it as a taboo.
Sex education is more than the teaching of children and adolescents on anatomy and the physiology of biological sex production, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual activity, sexual orientation, gender identity, abstinence, contraception, gender identity, and reproductive rights and responsivities.
Therefore, there is a need for all children who are under age to be educated and understand how to practice healthy sexual behaviours.
In addition, society should not be obstinate in educating these youngsters about the risks of involving in pre-mature sexual activities.
Children and adolescents receive sexual education from the media, religious organisations, schools, family peers, parents and caregivers.
How they shape these messages about sex greatly alters how they perceive sex and further impacts whether they would want to explore their sexual desires.
In Kenya, more than 2000 cases of teen and unwanted pregnancies are reported annually by pupils in lower primary schools.
This needs to remain among the top agendas of every member of society.
Sex education is important and it should be incorporated into their schooling and taught throughout their curriculum.
However, Kenyans have rejected the introduction of sex education with a mentality that whether taught in or out of school increases sexual activity, sexual risk-taking behaviours and STIs.
Contrary to this, sex education promotes abstinence.
Programmes that combine a focus on delaying sexual activity with other content are effective.
Furthermore, sexual education is impactful when school-based programmes are complemented with the involvement of parents, teachers, training institutes and children or youth-friendly services among pupils.
Sex education plays a crucial role in addressing the health and well-being of children and young people.
It also reaffirms the position of sexuality education within the framework of human rights and gender equality.
It provides an opportunity to present sexuality with a positive approach, emphasising values such as respect, inclusion, non-discrimination, equality, empathy, responsibility and reciprocity.
Further, it supports young people’s empowerment by improving their analytical, communication and other life skills for health and well-being about sexuality, human rights, values, cultural and social norms, and respectful relationships.
Therefore, Kenyans should understand the importance of equipping these primary school pupils with knowledge and skills to make responsible choices of their lives, by recognising that sexual education goes beyond reproduction, risks and diseases.
It also reaffirms the position of sexuality education within the framework of human rights and gender equality.
It further helps in the achievement of the goals of the Vision 2030 agenda about health and well-being, quality and inclusive education, gender equality and boys and girls empowerment.
The writer is communications and public relations student at Maasai Mara University
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
