Manual on Sexual Education provokes divergences

Trinidad Vásquez, MANAGUA, Nicaragua, August 19, 2003

A Sexual Education Manual being prepared by the Ministry of Education has sparked intense debate Taxi Heathrow Airport between conservative religious sectors, teachers and Non Government Organizations (NGOs) that work to combat domestic violence.

Violeta Delgado, director of the Women’s Network against Violence, the National Association of Nicaraguan Educators (ANDEN) and the Civil Youth Coordinator, support the Ministry of Education’s project.

The networks believe that the manual is an important step to provide real information for teachers and students, thereby contributing to preventing sexually transmitted diseases, AIDs, unwanted pregnancies and the sexual abuse of children.

The Pro Life Association and the Evangelical Alliance of Nicaragua, that represents conservative sectors, reject the manual as they believe it violates morals and promotes sexual freedom.

For example, they say that the manual indicates that sexual life should begin when the person is ready to assume the consequences but it does not mention marriage. Moreover, it considers that it is danger when it recommends using “informal channels” for sexual education.

In the midst of this polemic the National Council of Evangelical Pastors, published a communiqué stating “We are not afraid to raise our prophetic voice and warn about the danger involved in not being very clear about terms such as “new models of sexuality,” “learning to be men and women.”

 “We would never be afraid to ensure our right to decide what type of education our children should receive in the light of the constitutional precept.” Sex is a gift from God, why should we be scandalized?, asked the president of the Council, the Rev. Norman Marenco.

For its part, the Catholic Bishops Conference, in a pastoral letter dated August 13, warned that children and young people are being threatened by a new wave of sensuality and sexual corruption, that is sometimes based on sordid economic interests.

The infiltration of ideologies and theories that promote a confusing and ambiguous sexual education is a grave danger that education in the country faces, said the document, alluding to the Sexual Education Manual.

On the other hand, the Gynecology and Obstetricians Society approves the manual, as they believe it will reduce sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.

Early sexual education will reduce unwanted pregnancies by 80 percent, said Dr. Denis Aleman, president of the society. Moreover, advisor Oscar Flores said that statements from the Pro Life Association are exaggerated and tendentious because they have used words that are not contained in the Manual.