A youth-led research initiative in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda is calling for more comprehensive and inclusive sexuality education, moving beyond adult-led assumptions.
Key facts
- •The research involved 1,232 participants across Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda.
- •In-school CSE coverage was reported at 77.2% in Malawi, 93.1% in Ethiopia, and 82.6% in Uganda.
- •Youth researchers were trained in research ethics, focus group discussions, and report writing before collecting data.
- •The initiative was supported by the Youth Participatory Action Research project, which engaged nearly 1,000 young people.
- •Findings indicate that access to CSE in schools does not always equate to preparedness or the ability to access services like contraception without judgment.
Young researchers from Ethiopia, Malawi, and Uganda are challenging how comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) is delivered, arguing that current programs often fail to address the real needs of youth. The initiative, presented at the MenEngage Africa SRHR Learning and Exchange Symposium in Mombasa, Kenya, emphasizes that young people should be partners in shaping policies rather than just passive recipients of adult-led information.
By the numbers
Bridging the Information Gap
The research, which involved 1,232 participants, found that while many students in school receive some form of sexuality education, the content is often limited to biology, HIV, and abstinence. Young participants reported that this narrow focus leaves them without guidance on critical topics like contraception, forcing them to rely on unreliable sources such as peers or pornography. Researchers noted that this lack of accurate information is linked to higher rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
Barriers to Inclusive Education
The study highlighted that youth with disabilities face significant additional barriers, including inaccessible health facilities and a lack of adapted educational materials. Furthermore, the researchers found that teachers and health workers often avoid difficult conversations due to personal discomfort or cultural and religious pressures. The youth researchers advocate for training these adults to better support young people, rather than excluding them from the dialogue.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by AllAfrica.
