Sex Education in Kenya

Sex education means more than just discussing how babies are born. It involves educating the youth about female and male anatomy; legal issues surrounding consent and abuse, information about safe sex practices and sexually transmitted infections. It also involves individual responsibility and caution regarding sexual matters. Sex education can also involve a more general discussion about relationships. While sex is a physical act, there are emotional and psychological factors to consider. In Kenya, discussing sex matters in public is like a taboo. Majority of parents in Kenya never underwent any meaningful training or orientation on contemporary sex education. Sex education, is sometimes called sexuality education or sex and relationships education. It is a process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. It is also about developing young people s skills to make informed choices about their behavior, and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices. It is a lifelong process of building a strong foundation for sexual health through acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs.

Autorentext

Dr Okello Agina is a Senior Lecturer in Sex and Reproductive Health as well as the Dean of Kenyatta University School of Health Sciences in Kenya. He holds a Master of Medicine degree and several postgraduate certificates from Germany and Israel, has a Post Doctoral Degree from United States and has written several books in Reproductive Health.