GRPA to promote age appropriate sex education

Dec 04, 2013 News

The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) is working to engage the education sector as well as community organizations in methods of cultivating a deeper understanding of human sexuality as an essential element of human rights and healthy social relationships.
This is according to Executive Director, Reverend Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth. Reverend Bisnauth was speaking at the 40th Annual General Meeting of the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), which was held last Friday at the Regency Suites/Hotel.
“We are working to strengthen our engagement with schools and community organizations on age appropriate comprehensive Sexuality Education, encouraging a shift to a more healthy conversation, which celebrates sexuality and fosters a sexual ethic, which is focused more on personal relationships and social justice rather than particular sexual acts.”
“One of the biggest misconceptions that people have of sexual education is that if you provide this kind of education to an adolescent, they are going to want to have sex earlier. But this is not the case. Rather it has been noted that adolescents and youths who are better educated on these issues are likely to delay their sexual initiation and be better able to make wise choices. They are also likely to not suffer the same consequences as those who lack this vital information and support.”
Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran congratulated the organization which was established with the agenda to struggle for gender justice and equality, which began in the pre and early independent era in Guyana.
He outlined efforts made by the Ministry of Health to address maternal mortality and recognized the important role of civil society organizations.
The Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNFPA is developing a Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) policy for Guyana. SRH is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of all persons and essential to a fit and productive society. It is elemental to a healthy life and has an impact on sustainable development as it affects the most essential of a nation’s resources, its human capital. There is a close link between SRH and Gender Based Violence (GBV).
Minister Ramsaran called on GRPA to expand its services to rural and hinterland communities and to engage in widespread, education and awareness on SRH and GBV.
GRPA was established in 1973 with the primary aim of enabling women to have access to Family Planning information and services and to lift up this issue as important for Guyana. Its first Executive Director and Founder was Olga Byrne who holds a significant place in the history of the women’s rights movement in Guyana.
GRPA has since expanded its focus to include a broader and more comprehensive approach to Sexual and Reproductive Health. In October 2013, GRPA launched the IPPF Vision 2020, which has 10 action points to advance the Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights agenda. This includes recognizing sexual rights as human rights and increasing access to family planning and SRH education.
GRPA’s President Pamela Nauth said that the organization is committed to advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights.

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GRPA to promote age appropriate sex education

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