Eco-Club Update (May 2013): Children’s rights and sexual education

Paige and Erica perform a skit to students on resisting peer pressure

Paige and Erica perform a skit to students on resisting peer pressure

In April 2013 we began a three class course on children's rights, sexual education and reproductive health. The objective of this course is to provide students with information about human rights, sexuality, sexual transmitted diseases, teen pregnancy, disease prevention, and family planning. Our motivation: in Cotacachi it is common to find girls as young as 14 and 15 pregnant or already with a child, and by age 24 many will be having their third child. Given that the majority of high schools in the area do not teach sexual education, and parents do not discuss it at home, we decided to tackle these issues in Eco-Club.

The classes are being taught by Peace Corps volunteers Paige Fisher and Erica Everett. The first class covers basic children's rights, myths about safe sex, and sexuality. The second class covers sexually transmitted diseases, disease prevention, and teen pregnancy. The third class covers contraception methods and family planning. After the three classes the students will receive a certificate recognizing their participation.

Paul Bonilla shares his interpretation of children's right to express themselves

Paul Bonilla shares his interpretation of children's right to express themselves

We completed our first class in April, and it went really well. These are difficult topics to teach, but through photos, videos, games and informal conversation many of students have already begun to open up. We look forward to the next two classes and hope that students will share what they learn with their siblings and peers, encouraging others to be make healthy choices as well.

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