The Medical Student International 25

Page 9

Medical Student International

introduce sexuality education must incorporate the family values. Involvement of parents in sexual and reproductive health education can be very useful. One of the main routes of any sexuality education is done by approaching preparatory and secondary schools. With the increasing enrolment rate in schools, schools represent a potential and effective means of communicating information on sexual and reproductive health. Introducing curricula on sexual and reproductive health is a must. Such curricula can vary from biological content on the physiology and anatomy of male and female genital systems and STIs; to social content on gender equality, fighting stigma and discrimination which accompany HIV and AIDS and family planning. To fill the gap between youth needs and actual reproductive health content in school curricula, NGOs must take the initiative of introducing peerto-peer education programs. Such programs include awareness campaigns, seminars for school students and parents. Furthermore, NGOs have a role in promoting and providing sexual and reproductive health services, sensitizing the society towards sexuality and pushing for change in the country’s policies. A society that seeks progress needs its youth healthy and satisfied in all aspects of life. We can’t let superstitions, illiteracy and negative attitude hold us back from our dreams. We must make big steps into the future.

A young Girl calling for the rights of Egyptians during one of the demonstrations

References [1] Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat. (2010). World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision. Retrieved from http://esa.un.org/unpd/wpp/index.htm [2] United Nations Development Programme and the Egyptian Institute of National Planning. (2010). Egypt Human Development Report 2010. Cairo: Institute of National Planning, 2010. [3] United Nations. (1994, September 5-13). Reproductive Health Definition. Programme of Action Adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development, Cairo, Egypt. [4] Cairo Population Council. (2010). Survey of Young People in Egypt, Final Report, 2010. Cairo, Population Council: Author. [5] El-Zanaty, F. & Way, A. (2009). Egypt Demographic and Health Survey 2008. Cairo: Ministry of Health. ElZanaty and Associates and ICF Macro.

medical students worldwide

9


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.