Sexuality is a central issue in girls' lives, especially at adolescence. It is natural for girls to have questions. However, it can be difficult for them to find people and venues where they can openly and honestly discuss sexual matters and get accurate information.
Many girls operate on limited information, misinformation, or rumors.
Perhaps one of the most important steps adult women and men can take to empower girls is to create safe, nonjudgmental spaces for exploring questions related to sexual development. Yet, research indicates that a direct, proactive approach to sex education and healthy decision-making is effective in empowering youth, delaying sexual intercourse, and preventing unwanted pregnancies. More and more schools offer classes that include a unit on human sexuality. But schoolteachers do not always have the freedom or the time to explore topics as sensitive as sexual desire, masturbation, birth control, abortion, date rape, incest, and sexual preference. This newsletter includes a readership survey.