Gynaecologist wants sex education in primary, secondary schools

Dr. Golit William, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist with the Plateau State Specialist Hospital, Jos has advocated the introduction of sex education into the curriculum of primary and secondary schools.

William told our reporter on Tuesday in Jos that sex education would enlighten little children on the sensitivity of various parts of their bodies.

“Children need to be taught how to protect their bodies against being touched; I believe that will minimise the number of rape cases because such children will quickly report anyone who touches such sensitive parts.

“If the children are taught to realise that some parts of their bodies are private and are not meant to be touched by others, they will be confident to raise an alarm or to report to their parents or guardians, when anyone touches them indiscriminately.

“If we wait till when they become adults, many would have been raped several times and warned against speaking out, before realising the evil deed.

“Children should be taught the difference between safe and unwanted touch; they should also be taught how to speak up if someone treats them inappropriately,” he said.

He lamented that children go to school without getting vital age-appropriate information about their bodies, a situation, he said, had made it difficult for them to draw a line between right and wrong.

William said that it was pertinent to carry out most of the advocacy and talking at an early age so as to instill virtues in children, before they became adults.

“Above all, sex education will enlighten children and teach them how to blow the whistle,” he said.

The expert advocated stiffer sanctions to rapists, especially those found to have violated minors, to serve as a deterrent to others.