Expert Canvasses For Sex Education in Schools Curriculum

Expert Canvasses For Sex Education in Schools Curriculum:

An expert has canvassed a comprehensive sexuality education in the curriculum of schools for the youths so as to reduce HIV/AIDS infection among the demograph population.

According to 2010 survey, out of the 3.1 million Nigerians living with HIV/AIDS, nearly half of that number are between 15 and 24 years old.

Speaking at the National multi stakeholder dialogue events themed,”walking the talk on youth friendly HIV programs and services in Nigeria, last Wednesday in Abuja, the program officer of Ford Foundation West Africa, Prof Friday Okonofua,  said that abstinence as being canvassed as remedy for preventing and reducing HIV/AIDS in the country, is not the solution.

He said, “there’s no way you can prevent young persons from being sexually active. The only way out is a comprehensive sexuality education for the person to take precaution. That’s what the government should promote.”

Okonofua explained that statistics from other developed countries like Switzerland, Finland, Netherlands and Sweden have shown that a knowledgeable child can protect herself from most risk factors that can jeopardise her well being.

According to Okonofua, government should focus programming on young people and direct services to reach all of them, saying that results have shown that most of them have issues accessing care in facilities. (Leadership)