As part of the ongoing SRHR sessions that the prevention programme team facilitates with learners to improve sexual and reproductive health and rights education in schools, the prevention programme established five SRH Forums in the following schools Kuyasa S.S.S, Hector Peterson H.S, Breidbach HS, West bank HS and Enoch Sontonga HS, in February. February is also sexual and reproductive month.
SRH forums are peer-group interventions that provide sexual and reproductive health (SRH) education and support. While also, tackling issues like GBV and bullying in schools.
The team introduced the programme and the learners welcomed it with excitement and were very eager to learn about their bodies, different methods of contraception, STIs, HIV/AIDS, just to name a few topics that are covered in the sessions.
The first session acquaints the learners with the terms GBV and HIV/AIDS just to get an idea of how much information they know about the two topics.
Learners were able to differentiate between HIV and AIDS, tell how the virus is transmitted, and the symptoms of HIV/AIDS. The team also spoke about sexually transmitted infections, how people can protect themselves and what to do if/when they think they have STI symptoms.
Secondly, the learners were made aware that according to the law, the statutory age of consent is 16 years old. Therefore, it is illegal for anyone under 16 to consent to any sexual activity. Those above the age of 16 were encouraged to start a little later when they are able to make informed decisions about their bodies and have gathered enough information about the risks of engaging in sexual activities and/or where to go for sexual reproductive services.
Lastly, the learners were also able to tell the different types of GBV and what could possibly lead to it happening especially in a domestic environment. They also mentioned how unemployment and depression could lead to GBV at home and also bullying in schools. Bullying is a huge issue in schools.
A grade 12 learner from Hector Peterson High School, expressed gratitude about the information shared with them and said, “Even though I know that GBV is gender-based violence but understanding the different types especially emotional abuse was enlightening for me”.
These sessions are of utmost importance because they discuss conversations that tend to fall through the cracks seeing that they are still viewed as taboo. Some parents shy away from them hoping that their children will get all the information at school and unfortunately not all topics are covered in the school curriculum
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