This initiative has not been without controversy, however. Many felt that information relating to sexual and reproductive health should only be made available to adults and, more importantly, to married adults. Now that I have attended the classes, I have a better understanding of my body, the menstrual cycle and its fluctuations, and the changes that occur in the body. Now I feel that everyone, married or unmarried, should know how their body functions and how to keep it healthy. Many cannot cope with the rapid changes taking place in society, and they have no one to turn to for answers to their fears.
Teachers clearly feel a sense of empowerment too after receiving training.
I was highly impressed by the manner in which the instructors were handling issues like sex and sexuality, conception, reproductive organs, menstruation, masturbation - topics not dealt with in the government's reproductive health curriculum. Many adolescents have been deprived of proper guidance about sexual and reproductive health, especially those who are no longer in school. To reach this group particularly innovative methods were needed. A new telephone hotline was introduced and, in the first two months, received 200 calls. A trained counsellor responds to queries and seeks the help of a doctor if he or she is unable to handle questions.