Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE)

According to the project, comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is defined as "a lifelong process of acquiring information and forming attitudes, beliefs, and values about identity, relationships, and intimacy." CSE is designed to equip young people with high quality information, as well as knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to make informed choices now and in the future, enhance their independence and self-esteem, and to help them to experience their sexuality and relationships in a positive and pleasurable way.

The first step of the initiative was meeting with key figures within the Ministry of Education and Training, the community, and church leadership. School administrations and committees were also met at community level to sensitise them about sexuality education.

Through the Ministry of Education and Training, FLAS selected eight schools to participate in the first teacher training session. These included one primary and one high school from all four regions of Swaziland and two teachers per school were chosen. The five-day course took place during school vacation. That same week in late August 2009, FLAS introduced the programme to 28 peer educators. The teachers and peer educators were placed together for the final day of training. According to the organisers, all participants walked away with valuable information on sexual and reproductive health, along with strategies on how to build life skills and confidence of youth.

Over the course of the following year, the newly trained teachers introduced Comprehensive Sexuality Education classes at their respective schools. FLAS is conducting monthly visits to support the teachers and peer educators, collect reports, and to monitor the progress being made. At a teacher’s request, FLAS also facilitates in-school sessions. This helps provide a practical sessions for teachers and peer educators to improve their CSE facilitations skills. FLAS followed up with step-down training in six of the eight schools. These one-day training sessions are for all teachers in the school and are designed to expand CSE knowledge and guidance.

FLAS has also worked with the Ministry of Health to improve access of sexual and reproductive health services (SRH) in the community. Local leaders have helped organise and facilitate SRH days at community level. As youth are often intimidated or embarrassed to seek information and services, FLAS and partners are planning to provide youth-friendly training for nurses and other service providers.

The CSE programme emphasises a rights-based approach to sexual and reproductive health, designed to empower young people to take action rather than passively accept what others have decided for them. The International Federation of Planned Parenthood research suggests that high quality, comprehensive, and rights-based sexuality education programmes can delay initiation of sexual activity and unprotected intercourse, decrease the number of sexual partners, increase contraceptive and condom use, and decrease unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections among young people.

F0r more information, contact:
Family Life Association of Swaziland
flas@africaonline.co.sz

Youth, Reproductive Health, Education

FLAS and its CSE partners at community and national level are gearing up for the second phase, which runs from November 2010 until October 2013. The previous sessions focused on youth aged 10 – 20, but the updated programme has been extended the age limit to 24. FLAS would like to see the introduction of the programme to children even younger in age focusing on hygiene, puberty, changes in the body, and what to expect while growing up.

FLAS is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that has been operating in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) in Swaziland since 1979. FLAS has been working towards delivering youth focused services; sharing best practices and knowledge; engaging in advocacy and partnerships; and implementing sustainable, gender sensitive service delivery models that result in the prevention and reduction of unwanted pregnancies, maternal mortality, sexually transmitted infections, HIV and AIDS, unsafe abortions and gender-based violence.