MARTIN MAWAYA
HARARE- The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has ramped up it’s effort to empower young people and children with disabilities through Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) program aimed at helping them to navigate barriers they encounter at schools.
Today the global organization hosted learners with disabilities in Eastern and Southern Africa region to provide them with knowledge and skills centered on CSE.
In a statement UNESCO says children have the right to participate in CSE however, most children with disabilities are excluded from these programmes due to barriers attached to stigma.
“Children and young people with disabilities have the same right to participate in CSE. However, they face various barriers in accessing CSE in current school settings and often do not receive CSE education or are excluded from such programmes.
“Even if sexuality education is provided, the programmes may not adequately meet their needs. This is due to various barriers including stigma attached to sexuality of young people with disabilities,” reads part of the statement.
The United Nations organization pointed out that young people with disabilities are at high risks of sexual, physical, and emotional violence than those without disabilities.
It says “they are more vulnerable to developing poor self-esteem and sexual self-image and this can hinder their development of communication skills and other socio-emotional skills”.
Among other issues, the virtual meeting aimed to disseminate the latest evidence and resources on CSE delivery for Children and young people with disabilities, as well as providing a platform for experience sharing on delivery of CSE.
The Eastern and Southern Africa region children’s indaba is also part of a series of webinars organized by the CSE Community of Practise (CoP) that was created to enable teachers and CSE practitioners to promote peer exchange, best practice and build common capability in CSE across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Working closely with relevant regional structures, national ministries, education institutions, and key partners, UNESCO supports access to comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services for young people with disabilities.
It also institutionalized health and well-being programs while engaging leadership for long-term commitment and sustainability.
