Sexual Education and Reproductive Health
Overview
The Ghana Maternal Health Survey 2017 reports that teen pregnancy and early motherhood is a major social and health issue in Ghana, especially in the Western North Region where we work. An early start to childbearing greatly reduces a women’s educational and employment opportunities.
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The survey also indicated that teenage pregnancy sharply declines with education. SEaRcH program is therefore of utmost importance in Humjibre and surrounding communities to educate girls and boys on family planning.
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In response to this reality, GHEI initiated the Sexual Education and Reproductive Health Program (SEaRcH). This semi-annual program holds workshops on sexual education and reproductive health in four local schools. Junior High School students from different grades participate in the interactive classes, where subjects such as emotional maturity and sex, menstruation, pregnancy and the transmission of HIV and other STIs are discussed.
Program Curriculum
SEaRcH consists of five modules of multiple educational sessions. Four times per year, the GHEI team pays a visit to junior high school classes and engages the youth in these sessions.
Our monitoring and evaluation efforts will teach us to effectively measure and scale the program to set an example of best practices in reducing teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections in rural Ghanaian communities like our own, which is what we strive for.