Sexual and gender-based violence, along with gender inequality, remain pressing issues in the effort to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, particularly among adolescents. To address this, RENEW, in collaboration with the education ministry, is organising programmes to strengthen and expand comprehensive sexuality education in schools. Comprehensive sexuality education is a curriculum-based process of teaching and learning about the cognitive, emotional, physical and social aspects of sexuality.
Last week, teachers from twelve schools in Chhukha and four schools under Phuentshogling Thromde gathered in Phuentshogling for such a programme. The training focused on adolescent sexual and reproductive health rights and gender-based violence.
The initiative builds on the ministry’s introduction of comprehensive sexuality education in 2021. While the subject has been incorporated into the school curriculum, teachers say programmes like these are essential, as they provide deeper understanding and practical guidance on addressing sensitive issues.
“Understanding these issues may be difficult for us teachers and principals. And this ultimately affects the programmes and initiatives taken for this cause. Programmes like this by the ministry and RENEW equips us with the tools to understand and address youth-related issues in the schools,” said Dorji Tshering, Principal, Logchina Middle Secondary School, Chhukha.
“Although these topics are there in the curriculum, I felt it is not taken in depth. For example, the consequences and repercussions are not there. If we can orient sexual education to the students, I feel that it will benefit the community at large,” said Dechen Choden, Teacher, Darla Higher Secondary School, Chhukha.
“Even if it is there in the curriculum, everything cannot be covered because many other topics have to be covered. So, we are educating and creating awareness through curriculum in schools as well as through various programmes like this,” said Choeing Sherab, Deputy Chief Programme Officer, MoESD.
According to RENEW, with the community service centres now established in 13 districts, the record of gender-based violence cases continues to rise. In 2024 alone, RENEW recorded over 1,300 cases.
“We can’t travel to remote schools, so today we have teachers from far-flung schools here. To create awareness, we have a group called DAISAN—Druk Adolescent Initiative for Sexual Awareness Network, through this, we have the teachers here who will go back to the schools and impart the knowledge and also promote peer helping,” said Pema Choki, Centre Manager, RENEW Community Service Centre, Phuentshogling.
RENEW’s efforts aim to empower adolescents with the knowledge and support they need to protect their rights and well-being through the integration of a volunteers’ network. RENEW plans to continue expanding its programmes to reach more schools and communities across the country.
Kinley Dem
Edited by Kipchu
