The need to strengthen Comprehensive Sexuality Education, CSE, in schools across Lagos State has again come to the forefront as stakeholders advocate improved access to accurate and age-appropriate information for adolescents.
The call is aimed at ensuring that young people are properly informed about their health, rights, and personal development to enable them make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
The Executive Director of Positive Proof Women Healthcare Empowerment Initiative, POPWHEI, Monica Lillian Obi, stressed the importance of equipping girls and other young people with the right knowledge through structured education programmes.
Obi stated this during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Alausa, Ikeja, with the theme: “The Right to Know: Reclaiming Comprehensive Sexuality Education.”
She explained that POPWHEI, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation established in 2016, initially focused on HIV awareness and support services before expanding its activities to include gender equality and women empowerment initiatives.
According to her, the organisation’s programmes are targeted at girls between the ages of 10 and 19, providing age-appropriate education on puberty, reproductive health, menstruation, body awareness, and rights.
She noted that the initiative is designed to help young people make informed decisions and avoid misinformation on issues relating to their health and development.
The POPWHEI Executive Director added that the programme would also involve boys, parents, teachers, and other stakeholders through school sensitisation campaigns and stakeholder engagement activities.
Obi further disclosed that the organisation plans to collaborate with relevant government ministries and policymakers, including the Ministries of Health, Education, as well as Youth and Social Development, to strengthen support for sexuality education in schools across the state.
She expressed concern that inadequate sexuality education continues to contribute to challenges such as early marriage, unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
Obi therefore urged that Comprehensive Sexuality Education be treated as an essential component of learning in schools.
Reporting By Florence Ubajekwe