Informed Choices, Healthy Futures: IPI Takes Sexual Health Education to Schools

Young people make better decisions about their health when they have accurate information, trusted adults to talk to, and services they can reach. That is the heart of IPI’s sexual health advocacy programme. At this outreach, pupils sat on benches under the trees while parents, teachers and community youth joined them for a day of open, respectful conversation, pitched to each age group.

Sexual Health Rights, Every young person has the right to accurate, age-appropriate information about their body, and the right to make informed and free decisions about their sexual and reproductive health. They also have the right to privacy and confidentiality, and to youth-friendly health services offered without judgement or discrimination. Facilitators encouraged learners to ask questions, and encouraged parents and teachers to answer honestly. That way, young people learn from reliable sources rather than myths and rumours from their peers.

Contraception With older learners, youth and parents, our team explained: what contraception is, the main methods available, including condoms, pills, injections, implants and IUDs how each method works why the right choice is best made with a trained health provider

We were clear that abstinence and delaying sexual debut remain the safest choices for school-going learners. We also explained that condoms are the only method that also protects against STIs and HIV.

STIs Learners heard about common sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and herpes, and their warning signs. They also learned that many STIs show no symptoms at all. We stressed that:

Most STIs can be easily treated or managed when caught early untreated infections can cause lasting harm, including infertility regular testing is a normal, responsible part of looking after your health

HIV Facilitators explained how HIV is passed on and how it is not. You cannot get HIV from sharing a desk, a meal or a hug. They also covered:

The importance of knowing your status prevention options for young people, including condoms and PrEP the fact that people living with HIV who stay on treatment can live long, healthy lives, and cannot pass the virus on once it is undetectable

Challenging stigma was a key message for pupils and parents alike.

Sexual Health Counselling Some questions are too personal to ask in a crowd. IPI counsellors were available all day for private, confidential one-on-one sessions with learners and parents. The sessions covered puberty, relationships, peer pressure, contraception, testing and other personal concerns. Where needed, we referred them to nearby health facilities for testing, contraception and treatment.

Alongside the education sessions, the team gave sanitary pads to schoolgirls and shoes to pupils who needed them, helping learners stay healthy, confident and in class. IPI thanks the school leadership, teachers, parents, volunteers and partners who made the day possible. We will keep bringing sexual health education and counselling to schools and communities.