By: Haruna Kuyateh
Hope Life International ( HLI) with support from Netherland Embassy in Dakar recently organised two days training for teachers, school administrators, supervisors and education officials on a theme: “comprehensive sexual reproductive health and rights education to adolescent ( COSRARETA).”
Held in Kerewan, North Bank Region, the training was meant to create a safe and supportive environment for the in-school adolescents and also for teachers and students enjoy their rights to information, education and services.
The one year project is funded by Kingdom of Netherland Embassy in Dakar. The Project expected to enhance adolescent’s ability to take responsibility for making healthier choices, resisting negative pressures and avoid risk behaviors to attend the highest standards on health for the future.
Joseph Idiba Awuru, executive director of Hope Life International stated that building partnership with stakeholders to create more public awareness among adolescent’s youths on reproductive and sexual health education is significant.
He revealed that the program targets 10 schools including Upper Basic and Senior Secondary Schools.
According to Awuru, the program is designed to address and bridge gap of information needs from in-school adolescent population in the region on reproductive, sexuality and HIV/AIDS. This will be in conformity with the relevant Gambia national sexual reproductive health policy and international agreements.
He commended regional education directorate Region III for their invaluable support and cooperation.
He also commended Hope Life International for readiness to partner with education sector to establish Ambassadors clubs in five schools in the region to advocate for sexual and reproductive health.
Mod Tala Ceesay, senior education officer Region III said the program will help to address information gaps, protect students from STIs and HIV/AIDS.
He described the training of teachers, principals and supervisors as good move in the right direction and will contribute to gather effective knowledge and capability to guide and empower adolescent girls and boys with comprehensive and non-judgmental information on the issue.
Ansumana Suso, public health officer at Kerewan health centre and also the lead trainer expressed delight on the importance of rolling out comprehensive adolescent health and sexual education for students from Upper Basic and Senior Secondary Schools in the region.
He disclosed that adolescent health education is vital while he challenged school authorities to liaise with health staff to provide weekly health talk on hygiene, sanitation, sexual health including management of menstrual cycle.