Prevention of the transmission of STIs (sexually transmitted infections), of unwanted pregnancies and of the transmission of HIV. And yet certain groups within the local community insist that abstinence is the way to go. While abstinence might be ideal, it is not necessarily realistic - the local papers have released statistics showing rising rates of teenage STI infection, especially among girls.

I volunteer with a local women's organisation which had been running comprehensive sexuality education programmes for girls in local secondary schools. The content focused on empowerment through information and what I really liked about the program was its non-judgmental, non-religious slant. It respected people enough to provide them the information to make their own decisions while not discriminating against people of different religious or sexual orientations. The syllabus covered topics such as preventing STI transmission and health screenings, proper use of contraception, concepts of healthy relationships and healthy self-image. All of these topics are important and relevant to our teenage girls and yet are not generally covered in the school syllabus.

A takeover within this NGO has recently taken place, with the leaders of the old ExCo being accused of being "pro-lesbian" and "pro-homosexuality". (For more information on the saga, read this and this.)

I don't know how the whole thing will turn out, but fellow volunteers and I fear that this programme, one of the few in the community which has tried bravely to take a neutral and inclusive stance on difficult and sensitive issues, will not be able to continue.