Ecuador goes Old School on Sexual Education

The new proposal of the Government of Ecuador to reduce teenage pregnancy is simple: Teens should postpone sexual intercourse. This is the objective of the National Plan for Strengthening the Family, presented last February 28 to replace the previous National Strategy for Family Planning and Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention, whose main initiative was the free distribution of contraceptive methods among young people. President Rafael Correa considered necessary to renew the program because “incited hedonism”, says Monica Hernandez, a physician with over 30 years of experience in development projects who is part of the Government of Correa since October 2013. In its latest weekly work report, Correa has insisted on the idea of ​​”hedonism” and has even criticized children attending health fairs where condoms are distributed “as gum”. The new plan focuses on values ​​education in schools. Ms. Hernandez will be the one responsible for deciding the contents of what is taught. She says that early relationships pose a danger to the future project of life of the child. “I’m not a member of Opus Dei, but I know people there and I appreciate them very much,” said Hernandez to accusations made by some groups of women when, in late 2014, she was contrary to the sexual hotline and the free distribution of contraceptives -including the next day pill. With the new proposal the government finds its greatest challenge to involve families. To this end, schools are supposed to inform parents and to motivate them to approach their children and talk about the issue of early sexual activity. Also, eighty-hour workshops will be offered which parents must attend once. When asked if this is enough, Hernandez said no and added: “We want to create nuclei or committees of parents, give advice and information to keep in touch with each other and continue to support further training”. In the old plan, there are only condom dispensers in health units, which are empty. The Free information Line named “Speak seriously, sexuality without mysteries” no longer exists. Virginia Gómez de la Torre, a member of the Front for the Defense of Sexual and Reproductive Rights, criticized that no technical evaluation has been made in regards to the previous plan and that the only opinion that has been considered is that of the President. In this regard, Hernandez recognized that there is a possible improvement in the indicators but countered: “We believe that teenage pregnancy was reduced, especially in 2013. The previous program was interesting because it put the issue of sexuality on the table, but did not take into account the values. We will give a further education based on affection and sexuality.” The new plan has received $32 million to reach its goals. Read the rest below at the source link