OPINION: Panamas urgent need for sex education

In the year 2017, there was a decrease of 386 cases of teenage pregnancies, compared to the previous year. Each of the 9,912 adolescents who became pregnant that year represented a serious challenge in health, education, housing, food and human development. In the first months of this year, 1,738 cases of teenage pregnancies have been registered by the public health system, that is, 166 cases more than last year.

An early pregnancy, possibly the product of a sexual assault or an unplanned relationship, is a direct threat to the well-being of adolescent girls and to the development of the whole country. Sexual education should be the guiding star of public policy.

Parents, teachers and teachers, children and adolescents, and health personnel must be active agents of a responsible sex education model. It is not possible for us to continue ignoring the cost in personal and family pain that these pregnancies cause, and the aggressions that victimize children and adolescents. More sex education means more health and dignity for all Panamanians. … LA PRENSA. hoyporhoy, Mar.27.