Learning Exchange on Sexuality Education, Bangkok
Updated: JUNE 2011 | by Mrs. Raynah Sivaraman
A Learning Exchange Workshop on Sexuality Education in Schools was organized in Bangkok, June 13-18 2011 by the Royal Thai Government in coordination with TICA (Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency), PATH (Program for Appropriate Technology Health) and UNFPA.
Advocates for Youth Philippines was selected to participate in this Workshop based on its extensive work done since 2002 in raising awareness on various Reproductive Health issues and promoting Responsible Sexuality among school going teenagers, out of school youth and the young adults employed in the BPO industry.
Mrs. Raynah Sivaraman, Managing Director of Advocates for Youth Philippines, and Ms. Rosaline Masilang of Dept of Education represented the Philippines for this weeklong workshop held at Windsor Suites, Bangkok.
There were also delegates from Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia and Bhutan.
During the workshop, the delegates were introduced to Key Concepts, Guidelines and Criteria for a comprehensive Sexuality Education Program. There were interesting exchanges among the participants on experiences, best practices as well as cultural and religious impediments in implementing/promoting Sexuality Education.
The highlight was the opportunity the participants had, on an out of town trip, to experience firsthand, how selected Thai schools in Bangkok’s neighbouring districts (Nakornsawan, Petchburi and Udornthani) conducted its Sexuality Education classes. These classes focussed on issues like Body Image during Adolescence, Role Playing to enhance awareness on gender interactions and negotiating skills, Group Discussions on teenage concerns like dating, relationship with parents, getting priorities right, etc. A visit to the provincial/district offices illustrated how effectively government policy could support Reproductive Health issues in terms of education and medical care. In addition to the Sexuality Education classes in school, there were also commendable outreach activities conducted by a youth friendly Health Clinic appropriately named LoveCare Clinic in Nakornsawan, the Tayang Hospital in Petchburi and Udorthani’s vocational school.
Advocates for Youth Philippines has now decided, based on this workshop’s guidelines and material, to devote a section of its website to Sexuality Education so that youth, parents and teachers can access/communicate reliable information.
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