Abuja — At a recent seminar organised by the Family And Community Support Organisation (FACOSO), stakeholders raised concern about children's vulnerability to the HIV/AIDS scourge. Participants at the seminar concurred that children need to be taught sex education.

Sex is traditionally a very private subject in the Nigerian society. Discussions about sex, especially, with teenagers is often seen as inappropriate. Attempts at providing sex education for young people have been hampered by religious and cultural objections.

Many believe that the lack of proper information among teenagers about the deadly HIV/AIDS scourge has contributed immensely to the escalation of the disease.

However, stakeholders at the FACOSO seminar which included parents, teachers and counsellors unanimously agreed that between 12 and 16 years of the child's age is the most crucial period to educate children about the dreaded HIV/AIDS disease.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP SUNDAY, the national coordinator of FACOSO, Ayuba Badamasi, said children often engage in risky behaviors. He said there is need for parents and teachers to educate children so that they could be properly informed

He posited that, "As they commence their sojourn into adult life, lack of experience leads them to engage in risky social behaviour with attendant consequences. That is why there is need to educate and guide them appropriately. We consider this strategy as a proactive social responsibility in order to equip our young people with adequate knowledge, to avoid contracting the virus and other STIs as well as spreading them.

"You are aware that the HIV/AIDS scourge is one of the challenges that the world is grappling with. Moreso, its effect is more ravaging among the young people who are exuberant, inquisitive, daring and willing to take risks and experiment new things in life."

A parent who attended the seminar held at Madalla Community School in Suleja local government area of Niger state, also told our reporter that children are never too young to be educated about the deadly disease.

She said, "Children are never too young to learn anything. Most people think that children are too young to learn and that children 'don't know anything'. On the contrary, I feel that children should be taught. Children do not know anything if you do not tell them. If you always feel that your children 'don't know anything', then you are restricting yourself in communicating with them and your children will really grow up 'not knowing anything."

Dr. Babatunde Ariyo, project site coordinator for the comprehensive HIV care treatment and support with ART at the Suleja general hospital said, awareness of the disease is on the increase. He, however, said the disease has drastic effect on people with low socio-seconomic income because it requires huge nutritional support.

He said, "Their fear is a misconception of the disease. Their knowledge is very poor. The anxiety that it has no cure and the problem of stigmatization is a major set back. But generally, the awareness has been on the increase."

However, another parent frowned at over-emphasis on the use of condom. He said, "The children at junior secondary schools are mature enough. HIV is a reality in our society. They must, therefore, be adequately informed to avoid being infected."

On the role of parents he said, "If parents are not adequately equipped with the right knowledge, they can cause more harm. Families have to be aware. However, it is clear that people are aware, especially, when you see those who do manicure and barbers using lighter to sterilise clippers.

"I must say I am not happy about the over-emphasis on the use of condom, it is like a double edged sword. The proper message to the children should be abstinence and being faithful to one partner."

A teacher with Madalla community school blamed some parents for leaving the training of their children to the teachers alone. She said, "Parents don't care. We have had cases where parents come to the school to harass teachers when their wards are disciplined."

According to her, "Some parents spoil their children. Some parents expect teachers to do everything. My experience as a teacher has shown that children are not too young to learn sex education.

Children have the right to feel loved and protected. Since children have limited capacity for reason and logic, the child's parent, guardian or caregiver is there to provide the nurture a child needs to be a positive contributor in life and society. "The caregivers are there to give their best to the child and look out for the child's best interest.

"Parenting tips can be picked up, but the act of parenting is a learned skill. Sometimes, the caregiver may be in a position that compromises his ability and responsibility to nurture the children. Perhaps, the caregiver may have suffered a job loss or relationship problems. Stresses like these can become too much to bear and the parental experience may feel overwhelming. "Unfortunately, the child may be in an environment or home where the caregiver is letting these factors get the better part of him/her, thus hindering the well-being and development of the child. But with prevention and programs available to help fulfill the needs of both the child and caregivers, child abuse and neglect can be curtailed."

She explained that children should be taught sex education. This is because they tend to want to engage in sexual activities because they do not have the basic understanding and are seeking answers. In the process, they get entangled in a very big mess."