PHOTO ESSAY: National Consultation Workshops on RH & Sexuality Education-Visayas

By Liwliwa Malabed, for Mulat Pinoy

Do you know any MARCY? NOW is the time to talk to them about RH and Sexuality Education .

A unique Visayas experience

The Visayas leg of the first National Consultation Workshops on RH and Sexuality Education was held in Crown Regency Hotel Cebu from March 18-20, with more than 79 participants. The expected outcome of the nationwide consultation workshops is a comprehensive sexuality education framework as mandated by the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law of 2012 (Republic Act 10354).

Wise and young minds

Here, there is no such thing as a generation gap. The young look for guidance and ask for proven methods from their experienced elders. The not-so-young turn to the youth for new knowledge and timely strategies. This consultation has the biggest number of adolescent turnout, with 12% of the attendees belonging to the youth sector.

Population and Development Education framework is pop in Catholic schools

POPDEVED of PCPD fills the information gap and correct misconceptions about PopDev and human sexuality, identifying areas of convergence between science and Catholic teachings. It also integrates PopDev and human sexuality concepts into the existing school curriculum, as well as values based on Catholic teachings.

Right information from the right people

The participants learn from the best, and from each other. The consultation usually starts with input from a resource person, and the participants are encouraged to interact with the speakers by asking questions and sharing experiences unique in their region and sector. Afterwards, the participants are grouped together for a workshop and they present their output in a plenary session.

Finding solutions
Aside from the increase in teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, other alarming issues are the lack of adolescent-friendly facilities, rise in sex- and gender-based violence, and the increase in intravenous drug abuse among young people in Cebu.

Bananas and condoms

DepEd has been teaching sexuality education in basic education even before 1970, both in Formal Education and Alternative Learning Systems (ALS). NGOs have been implementing their own CSE all over the country. With the RH law, there will be a unified framework and everyone will have equal access to a gender-responsive and culturally-appropriate CSE.

Knowing the curriculum and how to teach it

Games and activities such as bingo enhance better retention and understanding of DepEds Sexuality Education key concepts and topics. A Comprehensive Sexuality Education not only provides content but also creative ways of teaching, which is why teacher training is crucial for implementation.

Paint me a picture
Participants paint different portraits of sexuality education. With a Comprehensive Sexuality Education framework, the youth will no longer be blind, deaf and mute to Reproductive Health and issues concerning their sexuality.

Positive attitude, firm resolve

The participants refuse to be overwhelmed by challenges and obstacles. Rather, the focus is on solutions and innovations.

Kapit-bisig and bayanihan

All we need is commitment to our goals and unwavering support from all partners and sectors. And of course, as emphasized by our Visayas participants, a good referral system.