Sexual Health Education

The number of people with sexually transmitted infections in Nepal is rising at an alarming rate. Green Tara has developed a strategy to reduce the risk-taking behaviour of the most ‘at risk’ groups in society, specifically- young people, sex workers and the clients of sex workers.

Sex education is not part of the Nepalese school curriculum and young people have very little exposure to any formal sex education. Many young Nepalese people hear fragmented versions of safe sexual practice. Green Tara believes that if people know the risks and consequences of their actions they will be in a better position to make informed decisions. In urban Nepal only half of the population use any form of contraception, in rural Nepal this figure drops to just a third of the population.

Within communities that do not have proper sex education, it is impossible to reduce risk taking behaviour. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are therefore widespread. There is a danger that infected people spread sexual infections because either they don’t know they have diseases or because they don’t know any better.

With 10 years of experience to support them Green Tara has shown that working with young people, teachers, community leaders and other prominent figures makes a difference, vulnerable groups can be helped to make informed decisions. Furthermore, they have shown that in general, educated decisions lead to sexually safe actions.

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