– In all countries sexual and reproductive health and rights need to be included in education and in schools. It needs to be in curricula, it needs to be there in real life, it needs to be provided by teachers who are able to communicate about sexuality in an open, knowledgeable and respectful way.
This was stated by the Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania at the launch of the “OneLove”-campaign by Femina HIP Thursday October 9th at Mnazi Moja grounds.
– Girls and boys have the right to know. And it is necessary for them to know to be able to protect themselves. Both against HIV-aids and against early pregnancies. And let me ask here as I always do: If a girl anyway gets pregnant, why should she be punished once more by being expelled from school?
– Girls need to hear that they have the right to say no. And boys need to know that sex is not about power, violence and being macho, but about love and mutual respect. That equality with girls also lies in the interest of us boys and men. And all need to know how to use contraceptives, especially condoms.
– We must stop deceiving ourselves: Sex among young people does not cease to exist if you keep silent about it. It occurs anyhow but under much more unsafe circumstances. Education is needed. Openness is needed. Communication is needed, stated the Swedish Ambassador Staffan Herrström.