According to the WHO, Pakistan houses a considerable youth population with an estimated 44.6 million people falling within the age bracket of 15-24 years by the year 2020. That number accounts for one quarter of the country’s demographic and, naturally, remains most significant in the critical role of shaping the country’s future. The young female population of Pakistan remains most vulnerable: With 1 out of 6 girls between the age of 15 to 19 years being married and a considerable number in the rural areas entering marriage even before 15. Consequently, early and frequent pregnancies, inadequate knowledge of contraceptive methods, birth spacing, paltry prenatal care and other maternal morbidities plague the lives of young women. To make matters worse, the societal stigma and shame in our communities surround these subjects and deprive women of the basic right to publicly express their concern and fears.
Not only is it the taboo status of these issues that stifle the voice of young women but also the lack of proper and authentic education on these matters that confines their lives to mental, physical and sexual diseases. It is because of these undeniable realities that teachers working in the village of Johi in Sindh took the brave initiative to impart sex education in the classrooms for young girls. In usual cases, the mere idea of commencing lessons on sex health and safety offends our morally righteous society but the villagers in Johi collectively agreed to enlighten their young ones on the sensitive topic through their teachers. At least 700 girls are enrolled in eight local schools run by the Village Shadabad Organisation where, now, eight-year-olds will be taught about bodily changes, their physical rights, autonomy and – most importantly – how to protect themselves from sexual predators.
Critics take issue with ‘possible deviance’ and ‘unconstitutional’ nature but their qualm falls flat when Article 37 and 25-A of the Constitution stipulates that education is a fundamental right and that no tailoring of it is permissible while the 18th Amendment allows provincial governments to implement education according to their own needs. It is with this education – firm lessons on how to guard themselves from sexual abuse and understanding their bodies without burdening guilt – girls can fend for themselves. All provinces would do well by equipping young pupils with sound education on sex and – some day – gender. For now, parents and teachers in Johi deserve applaud for thinking ahead of time.