Syllabus Title: Global Perspective

Centre Name: Lahore Grammar School 55 Main Gulberg

Candidate Name: Hadiya Fareed
Topic: Changing communities
Question: Should sex education be a compulsory part of the curriculum starting from high
school?
World has advanced yet we struggle with the upkeep of basic moralities. Looking around the
globe and seeing high number of cases of sexual assault, sexually transmitted diseases(STD’s)
and teenage pregnancies, it was not hard to find inspiration to research on this topic. The
question that rises is what can be done to reduce the number of cases. Many countries act
responsibility by imparting sex education to reduce issues like sexual harassment, sexual assault,
STD’s and teenage pregnancies.
In simple words, stated by science daily, sex education is “education about human sexual
anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexual intercourse, and other aspects of human sexual behavior.”1
There is a lot of stigma around the need of introducing sex education. There is also a lot of
reluctance of introducing it as conservative societies think of it immoral. This report will talk
about the advantages of sex education, why I think it is necessary, I will also be providing a
possible action plan and will be discussing this topic from a global, national and personal
perspective.
Pros of sex education:

The high levels of teenage pregnancy, STD’s and sexual assault calls for the introduction of sex
education, which comes with many proved advantages. UNESCO is a very trusted source
worldwide and gives reliable information on almost everything, however, one disadvantage of
this source could be that they do not take into consideration conservative countries. The source
states that comprehensive education plays an important part in 2“increasing young people’s
knowledge and improving their attitudes related to sexual and reproductive health and
behaviors”. A case study of Iranian women shows that “More than 2/3 of the participants
believed that sex education could increase their knowledge and promote their understanding of
sexual and reproductive health”3 awareness among women can lower rate of pregnancy and
STD’s.
An example of this can be shown in the following article as it states “progressive approach to
sexual education in the countries listed above as well as Sweden, France, the Netherlands,
Denmark, and Belgium, all of which reported between 5 and 6 teen births per thousand people”4.
On the other hand countries like the US who have “30 teen births per thousand” which might be
1
Science Daily, “Sex education”, Academic article https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/sex_education.htm
2
UNESCO, “Why comprehensive sexuality education is important”, February 15 th, Academic article,
https://en.unesco.org/news/why-comprehensive-sexuality-education-important
3
Azam Rahmani, Effat Merghati-Khoei, and Arezoo Fallahi, “Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Sex
Education in Young Women: A Qualitative Study”, January 13, 2018, research article,
https://sites.kowsarpub.com/ijhrba/articles/57221.html.
4
Simirin, Jonathan, “Which countries have the best sex education?”, May 13, 2015 https://www.seeker.com/which-
countries-have-the-best-sex-education-1792604688.html
Syllabus Title: Global Perspective
Centre Name: Lahore Grammar School 55 Main Gulberg
Candidate Name: Hadiya Fareed
due to their “abstinence-only curriculum, which prevents students from learning about pregnancy
and sexually transmitted infections”5. An article from National Library of Medicine tells us that
6
“In Jamaica a study surveyed about 500 students 11-14 years old and found that only 27% of
girls and 32% of boys knew that getting pregnant during the first intercourse was possible.” this
is something which can easily be avoided by sex education and will help decrease the rate of
unplanned teenage pregnancies. In the same article, a survey of 17 high schools in Bucharest
showed that one of the reasons behind unplanned pregnancies and abortions is absence of
reproductive health.
Sex education also leads to a lower rate of sexual assault, as people find it more easier to say no,
as a study in the National Center for Biotechnology Information illustrates “Our analyses also
showed that having received formal education about how to say no to sex (refusal skills training)
before age 18 was a protective factor against penetrative sexual assault in college” and how
“abstinence-only instruction were not significantly related to sexual assault”7. A recent study of
Columbia, states students who got refusal training skills have a lower chance8 “to experience
penetrative sexual assault in college.” A study9 of the national library of medicine, another
reliable source, states that inadequate sex education can be linked to a higher rate of sexual
abuse. There has also been a link drawn between sex education and the rate of STD’s as stated
through research conducted by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) 10" in higher
secondary schools in rural areas of 22 districts and 14 states, only 13% of adolescent knew that
multiple sex partners increased the risk of HIV infection”. Moreover, another source shows 11“In
India 80% of 100 girls seeking abortion did not know that sexual intercourse could lead to
pregnancy or STDs and 90% did not know about contraception “this could account for India’s
current STI rate which is ranked second in the world according to world population review12.
National Perspective:
Just like most countries, Pakistan is also a victim of extremely high rates of STD’s, sexual
assault and abortion. Guttmacher institute is a trusted source as it gives an in-depth analysis and

5
Simirin, Jonathan, “Which countries have the best sex education?”, May 13, 2015 https://www.seeker.com/which-
countries-have-the-best-sex-education-1792604688.html
6
B, Barnett, “Education protects health, delays sex”, research article https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12292388/
7
 Stephanie A. Grilo,  Tse-Hwei Choo,  Gloria Diaz,  Kate Walsh,  Melanie Wall,  Jennifer S. Hirsch, et al “Does
Sex Education before College Protect Students from Sexual Assault in College?, “research article, November 14,
2018 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6235267/ .
8
Columbia,“High School Sex Ed May Prevent Sexual Assault in College,”research article, November 14, 2018,
https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/public-health-now/news/high-school-sex-ed-may-prevent-sexual-assault-
college
9
Finkelhor D;Hotaling G;Lewis IA;Smith C; “Sexual Abuse in a National Survey of Adult Men and Women:
Prevalence, Characteristics, and Risk Factors, research article, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2310970/.
10
A. Corea G. Harms et al., “Study of Knowledge, Perception and Attitude of Adolescent Girls towards STIs/HIV,
Safer Sex and Sex Education: (A Cross Sectional Survey of Urban Adolescent School Girls in South Delhi, India),”
research article, July 23, 2008, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6874-8-12.
11
B, Barnett, “Education protects health, delays sex”, research article https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12292388/
12
World population review, “STD Rates by Country 2021”, https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-
rankings/std-rates-by-country
Syllabus Title: Global Perspective
Centre Name: Lahore Grammar School 55 Main Gulberg
Candidate Name: Hadiya Fareed
refers to a wide range of sources. It posted a study in 2017 which informs us that Pakistan has
one of the 13most high rates of abortions, however this study only gives us an indirect estimate.
The cause of these many abortions could be the lack of sex education, in one case14 Mehnaz a
women from Abbottabad has seven children, she was forced to have an abortion in the fear that
the baby might be a girl. Many people have abortions due to their lack of knowledge on
contraceptives. A 2017 UN report states that only 15“  30 percent of fertile-age women use
modern contraceptives” Besides this Pakistan is also ranked 5th around the globe for the rate of
STD’s16. This is due to the lack of information around this subject. The cases of sexual assault
are not too low either. The international news published an article which said , 17“22,000 rape
cases reported to police across the country in the last six years”.
Sex education should be introduced in Pakistan as the advantages stated in the section above will
help the Pakistan. However, sex education also comes with disadvantages, especially in a place
like Pakistan where talking about sex is a taboo. As a 18case study tells us how participants think
that it could initiate sexual behavior and destroy modesty. Moreover, in places where sex is
considered a taboo it will be hard to introduce sex education due to the amount of retaliation.
Proposed actions:
Introducing sex education is extremely sensitive and should be dealt with caution. I looked at
many different sources in which people talked about how they learned/taught sex education. I
will be proposing list of possible actions in the light of conducted, in a hope to introduce sex
education.
Firstly, the government should take a consensus among the people and see whether or not people
want sex education. If some parents are against the idea of sex education there should be
workshops held to convince them and make them realize the importance of sex education, it is
very important for parents to realize the importance of sex education as it is said 19“Parents are

13
Sushela Singh et.al, “Abortion Worldwide 2017: Uneven Progress and Unequal Access”, March 2018, research
article, https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-worldwide-2017#

14
Diaa Hadid and Abdul Sattar, “Why The Abortion Rate In Pakistan Is One Of The World's Highest,”, November
28, 2018, research article, https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/11/28/661763318/why-the-abortion-
rate-in-pakistan-is-one-of-the-worlds-highest
15
United Nations,” World Family Planning”, 2017, research article,
https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/WFP2017_Highlights.pdf
16
World population review, “STD Rates by Country 2021”,https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/std-
rates-by-country
17
The News, “11 Rape Incidents Reported in Pakistan Every Day, Official Statistics Reveal, January 29,2021, news
article, https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/743328-about-11-rape-cases-reported-in-pakistan-every-day-official-
statistics-reveal .
18
Azam Rahmani, Effat Merghati-Khoei, and Arezoo Fallahi, “Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Sex
Education in Young Women: A Qualitative Study”, January 13, 2018, research article,
https://sites.kowsarpub.com/ijhrba/articles/57221.html
19
Marshal, Kim, “Teaching sex education:7 key questions”, September 28,2018, opinion article,
https://kappanonline.org/marshall-sex-education/
Syllabus Title: Global Perspective
Centre Name: Lahore Grammar School 55 Main Gulberg
Candidate Name: Hadiya Fareed
their children’s first and most important sex educators”. This can be done by showing them how
successful sex education programs are running in different parts of the world.
Once the parents are on board schools should hire teachers that are experienced in the field. I
looked at an article in which there is a teacher who has taught sex education for 25 years, she
said, 20“I believe sex education calls for more structured, teacher-centered approach than
teachers might use in other subject areas.” She further states that the teacher should be mature
and be comfortable with talking about sex, they should also have high tolerance as in most cases
kids tend to make inappropriate jokes and tease when they are exposed to sensitive information.
After the arrangement of a sufficient amount of teachers are made that fit the criteria, the next
step should be to decide the curriculum.
In the curriculum, it should be decided what information should be given at which level, this can
be done by the government or the school itself. The curriculum is different in each part of the
world, for example in Maryland elementary, students are taught 21“health education from
Kindergarten but mentions of human reproduction are not recommended until age 10-12.”
The same article states, that middle school kids in New Jersey “ learn about same-sex
relationships including units on tolerance and acceptance by the end of the 8th grade”.
The curriculum changes due to factors like religion, opposition from parents, lack of
willingness of teachers, etc. The curriculum should be decided while keeping these
factors in mind and should be agreeable to all.

After this, schools should once again ask for the permission of the parents by sending
them a permission slip, in which there is the lesson plan and more information attached.
Once these slips are signed, the classes should be conducted in accordance to the planned
lessons.

Personal Perspective:

In submission, I think sex education will benefit developing countries like Pakistan and
will help with many things. It is necessary for people to learn about potential things that
could harm them like STD’s, sexual assault, etc. If done correctly, it may not encourage
sexual behavior and will definitely raise more awareness. Living in a place like Pakistan
talking about a subject like sex education with your family or people you are close to is
not acceptable hence, I think it is necessary for educational institutes and teach people
about this. Maybe the government should not introduce it all at once but slowly add it in
the curriculum to help the people get used to it. Moreover, I think that perhaps a global
organization like UNESCO should show greater interest in helping introduce sex
education.

Conclusion:

20
Marshal, Kim, “Teaching sex education:7 key questions”, September 28,2018, opinion article,
https://kappanonline.org/marshall-sex-education/

21
Tapp, Fioana, “Sex Education in Schools: Here’s What Your Kid Is Learning”, July 10,
2019,https://www.parents.com/kids/education/sex-education-in-schools-heres-what-your-kid-is-learning/
Syllabus Title: Global Perspective
Centre Name: Lahore Grammar School 55 Main Gulberg
Candidate Name: Hadiya Fareed
Developing nations should look up to developed nations and apply the applicable
curriculum. In my report, I gave examples of different curriculums in the section of
proposed actions, these type of curriculums should be introduced to help countries. There
are several examples which I have provided which clearly state the advantages of sex
education. It is a really important step to help decrease STD’s, unplanned and sexual
assault.

Word count: 1992

Syllabus Title: Global Perspective
Centre Name: Lahore Grammar School 55 Main Gulberg
Candidate Name: Hadiya Fareed

Annoted Bibliography:
1. A. Corea G. Harms et al., “Study of Knowledge, Perception and Attitude of Adolescent Girls towards
STIs/HIV, Safer Sex and Sex Education: (A Cross Sectional Survey of Urban Adolescent School Girls in
South Delhi, India),” research article, July 23, 2008, https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/1472-6874-8-
12.

2. Azam Rahmani, Effat Merghati-Khoei, and Arezoo Fallahi, “Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of
Sex Education in Young Women: A Qualitative Study”, January 13, 2018, research article,
https://sites.kowsarpub.com/ijhrba/articles/57221.html
3. B, Barnett, “Education protects health, delays sex”, research article
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12292388/
4. Columbia,“High School Sex Ed May Prevent Sexual Assault in College,”research article, November 14,
2018, https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/public-health-now/news/high-school-sex-ed-may-prevent-
sexual-assault-college
5. Diaa Hadid and Abdul Sattar, “Why The Abortion Rate In Pakistan Is One Of The World's Highest,”,
November 28, 2018, research article,
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2018/11/28/661763318/why-the-abortion-rate-in-pakistan-is-
one-of-the-worlds-highest

6. Finkelhor D;Hotaling G;Lewis IA;Smith C; “Sexual Abuse in a National Survey of Adult Men and
Women: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Risk Factors, research article,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2310970/.
7. Marshal, Kim, “Teaching sex education:7 key questions”, September 28,2018, opinion article,
https://kappanonline.org/marshall-sex-education/

8. Science Daily, “Sex education”, Academic article

https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/sex_education.htm
9. Simirin, Jonathan, “Which countries have the best sex education?”, May 13, 2015
https://www.seeker.com/which-countries-have-the-best-sex-education-1792604688.html
10. Stephanie A. Grilo,  Tse-Hwei Choo,  Gloria Diaz,  Kate Walsh,  Melanie Wall,  Jennifer S. Hirsch, et al
“Does Sex Education before College Protect Students from Sexual Assault in College?, “research article,
November 14, 2018 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6235267/ .
11. Sushela Singh et.al, “Abortion Worldwide 2017: Uneven Progress and Unequal Access”, March 2018,
research article, https://www.guttmacher.org/report/abortion-worldwide-2017#

12. Tapp, Fioana, “Sex Education in Schools: Here’s What Your Kid Is Learning”, July 10,
2019,https://www.parents.com/kids/education/sex-education-in-schools-heres-what-your-kid-is-learning/

13. The News, “11 Rape Incidents Reported in Pakistan Every Day, Official Statistics Reveal, January
29,2021, news article, https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/743328-about-11-rape-cases-reported-in-
pakistan-every-day-official-statistics-reveal

14. UNESCO, “Why comprehensive sexuality education is important”, February 15 th, Academic article,
https://en.unesco.org/news/why-comprehensive-sexuality-education-important
15. United Nations,” World Family Planning”, 2017, research article,
https://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/WFP2017_Highlights.pdf

16. World population review, “STD Rates by Country 2021”,https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-

rankings/std-rates-by-country
Syllabus Title: Global Perspective
Centre Name: Lahore Grammar School 55 Main Gulberg
Candidate Name: Hadiya Fareed