The South Sudanese Ministry of General Education and Instruction and its partners have launched Comprehensive Sexuality Education, which aims to provide children and young people with the knowledge and values that will enable them to be conscious of safe sex.

The launch also includes a complete sexuality education handbook for people with disabilities, as well as other disability-friendly learning aids, including a sign language dictionary.

Speaking during the launch, South Sudan’s Minister of General Education and Instruction, Awut Deng Achuil, expressed gratitude to the partners for their continuous support toward the country’s education, saying the sector is vital and grants human rights.

She said all individuals, especially children, require access to high-quality learning opportunities, in order to be empowered and contribute to the nation’s development.

“It is our responsibility to satisfy their needs throughout their lives, lifelong learning is essential for peace and long-term growth,” Awut emphasised.  

According to Awut, literacy skills, as well as other skills for empowerment, employment, and peaceful living, such as HIV prevention, maternal health, and environmental skills, must be learned by children, youth, and adults.

She encouraged all government and corporate organisations, as well as the country’s allies, to donate at least a fraction of their resources to the cause.  

Meanwhile, Sophia Mohammed Sayed, the Light for the World country director who also serves as Disability Inclusion Advisor, said a lack of comprehensive sexuality education can expose young girls to risky behaviours.

Sayed added that early and unintended pregnancy is increasing at an alarming rate across the East and Southern Africa region, hence, requiring concerted, holistic and multi-sectoral action to address the problem.

She stated that the event would provide disability-inclusive comprehensive sexual education materials as well as a South Sudan sign language dictionary, ensuring that persons with disabilities have access to this critical information.

The region has one of the highest adolescent fertility rates in the world, at 102 per 1,000 live births, according to the Light of the World. The adolescent birth rate in South Sudan is 158 per 1,000, according to the 2010 South Sudan Health Household Survey.