Sex education must be compulsory

Sex education is still considered a taboo in our society. It is not discussed as much as it needs to be across most of our educational institutions, often leading to major misconceptions regarding this, especially amongst the youth. Add to that the widespread exposure of pornography and the portrayal of hypersexuality in the media, and it results in the alarming rise in sexual abuse and rape that continues to run rampant. The lack of proper sexual education has led many people to make ignorant and unhealthy decisions in their lives.

Therefore, dissemination of correct information about reproduction, human sexual anatomy, sexuality, sexual activity, reproductive rights, birth control, emotional relations and responsibilities, age of consent and privacy, among other issues, have become indispensable. It is high time that parents and the concerned authorities alike introduce our children to sex education at home and schools so that they are well aware about the subject which will in turn help prevent severe social and health consequences.

Sabina Sultana, by email