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Kenya: Alarm Raised Over Child Sex
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The Nation (Nairobi)
14 May 2008
Posted to the web 14 May 2008
Alphonce Shiundu
Nairobi
Many children have sex by the time they reach age 15, a new report says.
As a result of this, children and young people have become vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) more than ever before.
The study noted that there are 1,800 new HIV infections for children under 15, and that there are about 6,000 young people aged 15-24 who are infected with the deadly virus every day.
It also revealed that 46 per cent of girls and 37 per cent of boys between ages 15 and 19 years have had sex.
Know benefits
The report noted that children know the benefits of abstaining from sex, but that they do not see that as being a realistic behaviour for them.
"Abstinence was seen as unrealistic because it was against the 'force of nature' and it was also seen as unacceptable by male members of the society," the report said.
The study titled Tell me More! Children's Rights and Sexuality in the Context of HIV/AIDS in Africa, was released on Tuesday at a Nairobi hotel by Save the Children-Sweden.
It noted that 10-18 per cent of females and 11-17 per cent of males in selected countries were reported as having sex before the age of 15.
"An estimated 10,000 to 15,000 of girls between 12 and 18 are involved in sex work and sex tourism. More than 50 per cent of these are engaged in part-time sex work for additional income."
According to the report, the situation is worsened by lack of information on what children think they need to do in order to avoid contracting Aids, and an unwillingness to act on those needs when they are expressed. It notes that some of the policies directed towards children are using messages that do not correspond to children's reality.
To effectively educate children on their sexuality, the study says, focus should be on equipping children with sexual information so that they feel confident about acting on the available choices.
The study blamed parents and teachers for deeming it inappropriate to discuss the issue of sexuality with their children, terming it as 'restrictive moral standards'. It also blamed the education curriculum for "not changing with the times."
Mr Etsub Berhanesillasie, a programmes officer with Save the Children-Sweden (in Ethiopia), said that telling children the negative effects of sex, such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections will not curb the situation.
While releasing the report, the global advisor of Save the Children-Sweden, Ms Eva Nordfjell, stressed the need to acknowledge children as sexual beings who sooner or later would engage in sex.
The report challenged the Government to act fast in implementation of the programmes, especially the inclusion of 'Life Skills Series' in both the students' and teachers' training curriculums.
At the same time the Government was criticised for its role in promoting sexual illiteracy among children, leading to irresponsible sexual behaviour.
The executive director of the Centre for the Study of Adolescence, Ms Rosemarie Muganda-Onyando, blamed the slow implementation of policies and laws for the situation.
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The education curriculum also came under scrutiny, with sex education being termed as "shallow and traditional".
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