Among ASEAN Member States, the Philippines has one of the highest adolescent birth rates, with 2020 World Bank data revealing 56 births per 1,000 women aged 15-19. Similarly, the Department of Health reports that HIV positive cases among the 15-24 year age group increased from 17% in 2000-2009 to 29% in 2010-2019. Such trends warrant proper implementation of sexuality education for children and young adults.
Sexuality education may be negatively viewed by some as it is said to taint children’s morals, interfere with their religious beliefs, and promote the initiation of sexual behaviours. This perception creates barriers in the comprehensive and proper implementation of sexuality education as modifications may be made according to personal beliefs and preferences. However, when taught appropriately, sexuality education offers many advantages. It equips the youth with vital knowledge on sexual health, which in turn, enables them to think critically, make informed decisions, and take action regarding such matters. Through sexuality education, there are greater possibilities that: (1) teenage pregnancy is reduced, (2) sexually-transmitted diseases/infections are prevented, (3) safe sex practices are promoted, (4) sexual assault or abuse is avoided, and (5) the youth are able to freely inquire about sexuality issues and concerns (Mandigo, 2020).
In the Philippines, the Department of Education launched the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) program that aims to “teach life skills among learners to help them develop critical thinking in relation to risky behaviors related to poor reproductive health outcomes, enhance self-esteem, and develop respectful intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships.”It is composed of seven core topics, namely, human body and development, personhood, healthy relationships, sexuality and sexual behaviours, sexual and reproductive health, personal safety, and gender, culture, and human rights. From what I can remember, in my locality, CSE is not fully implemented as there are topics that are not discussed (or at least not thoroughly) and abstinence is usually the primary focus.
References
Department of Education. (2018). Policy guidelines on the implementation of the comprehensive sexuality education. https://www.deped.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/DO_s2018_031-1.pdf
Department of Health. (2020). HIV/AIDS & ART registry of the Philippines. https://doh.gov.ph/sites/default/files/statistics/EB_HARP_Apr-Jun_AIDSreg2020.pdf
Mandigo, D. (2020). Pros and cons of sex education in school children: Review. International Digital Organization for Scientific Research, 5(1), 42-45. https://www.idosr.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IDOSR-JAS-51-42-45-2020.-UN.pdf
World Bank. (2020). Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) - Philippines [Infographic]. The World Bank. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.ADO.TFRT?locations=PH