A Nigerian man recently took to Facebook to express the urgent need for sex education in Northern Nigeria, particularly for young girls. This comes on the heels of reports about the escalating rates of teenage pregnancy in the region.
Aliyu Jalal, a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, highlighted the significance of sex education in his post, prompted by the enactment of a local government bye-law in Jigawa State. The bye-law prohibits members of the opposite sex from meeting at night due to the high prevalence of out-of-wedlock pregnancies among girls in the Kirikasamma Local Government Area.
In his impassioned statement, Jalal emphasized the disproportionate burden that falls on Northern Nigerian girls in cases of unwanted pregnancies, lamenting the enduring shame and stigma they often endure. He observed that parents appear to be more vigilant about the activities of their female children, as boys do not face the same tangible repercussions for their actions.
Jalal sharply criticized the nighttime curfew imposed by the local government, suggesting that it is an ineffective measure that fails to address the core issues. He proposed that sex education should be disseminated to children from an early age, either by parents, trusted confidants, or through schools, encompassing both religious and secular teachings. Moreover, he emphasized the necessity of educating adults in the community about preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, while also reinforcing the value of abstinence until marriage.
The images below include Jalal’s original Facebook post, shedding light on the compelling arguments he made in calling for improved sex education in Northern Nigeria.