Acknowledging young people’s sexuality and rights : computer-based sexuality and life skills education in Uganda, Kenya, Indonesia and Thailand : article produced as part of the KIC Project
Document type: article
Download file(s):
122943 (186 KB)
Abstract:
Comprehensive approaches to HIV do not only address risk reduction but also try to identify and deal with the causes of vulnerability that limit the ability of individuals and communities to protect themselves and others from HIV infection. They move beyond raising HIV/AIDS awareness to some form of social change, be it more political advocacy of women, transformation of gender notions and behaviour, or community action to tackle local HIV/AIDS-related problems. Today, over 50% of young people worldwide are sexually active by the time they are 17. Liberal attitudes of a new global youth culture, combined with not
acknowledging young people’s sexuality and rights and not providing them with information, lead to unprepared experimenting with sexuality. Young people in many countries are therefore increasingly affected with sexual health problems. Examples of these are teenage pregnancy, early motherhood, unsafe abortions, STIs including HIV, sexual harassment and abuse. In addition, young people’s lower sexual health status is fuelled by gender inequality, exclusion for being HIV positive and discrimination based on sexual orientation. Sexuality education is needed to prevent these problems, but also to guide young people in a healthy sexual development and should therefore start at an early age, at least before the age of 15. To be effective, a comprehensive and rights-based approach supports young people best in making their own decisions about their sexual life, whenever this will start.
Authors:
Reinders, J.
,
Darwisyah, W.
,
Okwaput, A.
,
Wongwareethip, W.
,
Obbuyi, A.
Country:
Uganda
,
Kenya
,
Indonesia
,
Thailand
Category:
Practice
End Page:
16
Serial number:
4
ISSN:
[1871-7551]
Journal:
Exchange on HIV/AIDS, sexuality and gender
Keywords:
HIV and AIDS
,
disease prevention and control
,
youth
,
education
,
information and communication technologies
Language:
eng
Organization:
KIT - Royal Tropical Institute
Year:
2006
Region:
East Africa
,
Southeast Asia
Right:
© 2006 KIT
Subject:
Health and Nutrition
Start Page:
14
Title:
Acknowledging young people’s sexuality and rights : computer-based sexuality and life skills education in Uganda, Kenya, Indonesia and Thailand : article produced as part of the KIC Project