Sexual Reproductive Health education: Whose responsibility?

Sexual Reproductive Health education: Whose responsibility?

By Folasade Akpan, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

In many Nigerian homes, discussions around sex and reproductive health remain taboo.

Cultural and religious sensitivities often dictate who is deemed appropriate to educate adolescents on these delicate matters.

As a result, many young people are left to navigate the complex terrain of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) on their own.

This silence, according to analysts, has contributed to rising rates of teenage pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), and unsafe abortions.

Data from the 2023 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), supported by the National Population Commission (NPC), revealed that 15 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 had begun childbearing.

These figures were reaffirmed during the 2024 launch of the State of World Population (SWOP) report, which also showed a higher prevalence in rural areas compared to urban settings.

In addition, findings from the 2022 Nigeria Adolescent and Youth Health Policy Performance Scorecard, supported by the African Health Budget Network, revealed that only 34 per cent of adolescents had adequate knowledge of sexual and reproductive health topics.

The report highlighted stark disparities between urban and rural awareness levels, with many adolescents in underserved communities lacking access to comprehensive information.

In response to these challenges, the Federal Government introduced the Family Life and HIV Education (FLHE) curriculum over a decade ago.

Jointly developed by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), UN Population Fund (UNFPA), and other partners, the curriculum was designed to equip adolescents with essential knowledge and values to make informed choices.

The FLHE addresses six thematic areas: human development, personal skills, sexual health, relationships, society and culture, and HIV prevention.

Topics such as puberty, decision-making, peer pressure, safe practices, and gender roles are embedded within various school subjects, including Social Studies, Basic Science, Civic Education, and Biology, spanning upper primary through to senior secondary levels.

This initiative aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); especially SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being.

Key targets include reducing maternal mortality to fewer than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births, ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare including family planning, and lowering adolescent birth rates.

Albeit these efforts, implementation of the FLHE curriculum has not been consistent across the country.

Resistance still exists in certain quarters, especially where topics such as condom use and sexual rights are perceived to contradict cultural or religious norms.

For example, Dr Rafee Al-Ijebuwi, Grand Mufti of Ijebu Igbo in Ogun State, emphasised that Islamic schools must adopt structured ways to deliver SRH education in accordance with Islamic values.

“The responsibility is collective, parents have the primary role; fathers for boys, mothers for girls. Then come the schools, which must provide formal education.

“Clinics and hospitals must also be ready to guide young minds,” he said.

He added that Islam permits age-appropriate sexual education prior to puberty.

“Ethics regarding sexual behaviour exist to ensure Muslims live healthy lives. If children learn early, they are less likely to face reproductive challenges later,” he added.

From the Christian perspective, Rev. Ozumba Nicodemus, National Director for Education, Youth and Women Development at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), stressed that the Church also shares in the responsibility.

“The Bible addresses sexuality and promotes values such as love, morality, and respect. Churches must help guide young people using biblical truths,” he said.

He further noted that faith-based abstinence education should be delivered in ways that equip adolescents with the knowledge needed to make responsible decisions.

“Even when we discuss contraception or unplanned pregnancy, the Church can take a compassionate, biblically grounded approach”.

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For many parents like Mrs Monica Moru, SRH education begins at home.

“I started talking to my daughter about her body parts at the age of two. I explained menstruation, how to use pads, and reminded her she’s loved. That way, no stranger’s words will confuse her,” she said.

This early intervention aligns with findings from a 2024 study titled “Sexual and reproductive health information needs: an inquiry from the lens of in-school adolescents in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria” (published in BMC Public Health).

The study explored how adolescents access and perceive SRH information.

Many respondents expressed a preference for receiving information from parents or trusted adults, but cited barriers such as fear, shame, and fear of punishment.

Interestingly, 61 per cent of respondents preferred school counselors or trained teachers, citing confidentiality, approachability, and competence.

Blessing Okoro, a 17-year-old student in Jikwoyi, Abuja, shared her experience.

“My mother will shout if I ask her about sex, but the school nurse explains how our bodies work and how to protect ourselves”.

Experts argue that schools offer a more structured and professional platform for SRH education, especially where parental guidance is limited.

At a recent policy dialogue on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) organised by Nigeria Health Watch, stakeholders noted the need for cross-sectoral collaboration.

Mallam Ghali Talle, Assistant Director of Education for Health and Wellbeing at the Federal Ministry of Education, said: “We have provided the FLHE policy to promote education and self-awareness among youths.

“Through school assemblies and peer-led sessions, we teach them to identify risk behaviours and protect themselves”.

He added that efforts are ongoing to link schools with health services.

“We are training providers who can offer youth-friendly counselling and care. Education must serve as a vaccine to protect them”.

Meanwhile, Vivienne Ihekweazu, Managing Director of Nigeria Health Watch, emphasised the foundational role of parents.

“If I don’t answer my child’s questions, they will get that information somewhere, possibly wrongly. Parents must see themselves as the first line of protection”.

In spite some progress, many adolescents still face major challenges in accessing SRH services.

Issues such as lack of privacy, fear of judgement, and stigma continue to deter them from visiting health facilities.

Dr Binyerem Ukaire, Director of the Department of Family Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, recently called for increased investment in adolescent-friendly services.

“We must build capacity for counselling. No single institution can do this alone. Parents, teachers, health workers, and religious leaders all have a role to play,” she said.

As Nigeria works toward achieving its 2030 goals, experts agree that what is needed is coordinated, inclusive, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive SRH education.

By breaking the silence and bridging knowledge gaps, the country can empower its youth to make informed decisions, laying the foundation for a healthier and more informed future. (NANFeatures)