Let’s talk about sex, says WAD

WOMEN’S Action for Development (WAD) has donated condom-demonstration kits to 19 secondary schools in the Karas and Hardap regions.

The kits were acquired with a N$32 000 donation from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). Using the kit to demonstrate the use of the female condom (Femidom) during a talk in Keetmanshoop on Friday, WAD Executive Director Veronica De Klerk said parents, spiritual and traditional leaders should be more realistic about young people’s sexual behaviour.Moral prudishness should not prevent people from discussing sexual matters with children, she said.WAD embarked on a sex-education programme after a survey conducted at six high schools in the Khomas Region revealed that 68 pregnancies occurred from January to September 2004.Furthermore, girls as young as 15 became pregnant and at least three schoolgirls were infected with the HIV virus, the survey revealed.De Klerk said the failure of educators to convey correct information about HIV-AIDS contributed to its spread.She also expressed concern over reports of teachers sexually abusing girls or impregnating them.”This is a most disturbing situation because the payment for sexual favours, whether in financial terms or in kind, is nothing less than prostitution,” she said.”If this is happening in our schools, it can be assumed that the seeds of prostitution are planted right within our schools.”De Klerk sent a stern warning to teachers who are found guilty of impregnating schoolgirls.”Through Women Voices regional bodies we will ensure that [such] teachers are expelled permanently from the education profession,” she said.Using the kit to demonstrate the use of the female condom (Femidom) during a talk in Keetmanshoop on Friday, WAD Executive Director Veronica De Klerk said parents, spiritual and traditional leaders should be more realistic about young people’s sexual behaviour.Moral prudishness should not prevent people from discussing sexual matters with children, she said.WAD embarked on a sex-education programme after a survey conducted at six high schools in the Khomas Region revealed that 68 pregnancies occurred from January to September 2004.Furthermore, girls as young as 15 became pregnant and at least three schoolgirls were infected with the HIV virus, the survey revealed.De Klerk said the failure of educators to convey correct information about HIV-AIDS contributed to its spread.She also expressed concern over reports of teachers sexually abusing girls or impregnating them.”This is a most disturbing situation because the payment for sexual favours, whether in financial terms or in kind, is nothing less than prostitution,” she said.”If this is happening in our schools, it can be assumed that the seeds of prostitution are planted right within our schools.”De Klerk sent a stern warning to teachers who are found guilty of impregnating schoolgirls.”Through Women Voices regional bodies we will ensure that [such] teachers are expelled permanently from the education profession,” she said.