Asmaa Fathi

Cairo – Despite multiple efforts, the issue of prevention remains the most urgent, especially given questions about the role of educational institutions in protecting children, not just educating them. Here, the debate emerges about including sex education as part of the school curriculum.

In response, this proposal clashes with societal rejection or fear, often linked to a misunderstanding of the concept of "sex education," considering it a taboo or inappropriate for children, which complicates the chances of applying it effectively.

Views vary between those who see early awareness as a protection tool and those who fear the consequences of introducing this type of knowledge into schools, opening the door to a deeper discussion on how to protect children in a constantly changing environment.

Sex education... a tool to protect the child, not a threat to innocence

As the debate on how to protect children escalates, the concept of "sex education" emerges as one of the proposed solutions, but it remains surrounded by much controversy and misunderstanding. This debate reflects a gap between the true goal of awareness and societal perceptions associated with it.

This axis also raises questions about the role of the school, not only as an educational institution but as a space to build the child's awareness and ability to protect himself/herself, especially in light of the series of recent violations in many schools.

Shaima Dahb, founder of the "Bido" initiative to protect children from harassment, explains that early awareness plays a fundamental role in enabling the child to distinguish between safe and unsafe behaviors, such as differentiating between a "safe touch" and a "harmful touch." She affirms that including this type of knowledge in schools enhances the child's ability to defend himself/herself, especially against exploitation attempts.

Increase in cases or increase in awareness?

With repeated talk about child harassment incidents, a question arises about whether these cases are actually increasing, or whether societal awareness has made them more visible.

This question reflects a shift in the way society deals with these issues – from silence to disclosure and confrontation – an approach that many families have adopted recently due to their fears of violations children might face inside schools.

Shaima Dahb believes that these violations are not new, but they were less visible in the past. She points out that the spread of social media, along with drama and awareness campaigns, has contributed to raising awareness, making society more capable of recognizing and naming these crimes.

Societal rejection... a crisis of understanding, not a crisis of principle

Including sex education in education still faces rejection from some families, especially in conservative societies, where this topic is viewed as a "taboo."

However, this rejection is often not linked to rejecting the idea itself, but rather reflects a lack of real understanding of what this culture entails, and the construction of misconceptions far from reality based on rumors spread about it.

Shaima Dahb affirms that the main problem lies in fear of the term itself, not its content. She explains that sex education does not mean providing inappropriate content, but aims to teach the child how to protect himself/herself and understand what he/she is exposed to. She stresses the importance of educating parents, especially in rural areas, about the nature of this concept, which could turn rejection into support.

Education as an entry point for change... how can sex education be integrated?

With increasing calls to include sex education in the curriculum, questions arise about implementation mechanisms and how to present this content appropriately for each age group.

This axis highlights the importance of specialization in curriculum preparation to ensure accurate and appropriate information for children. Shaima Dahb points to the need to develop gradual content that matches the child's developmental stages, to be developed by specialists.

She also affirms that the child receiving this information from school gives it greater credibility compared to any other source, and enhances his/her comprehension due to his/her and his/her family's perceptions of the school's primarily educational role.

Cost and implementation... are they real obstacles?

Among the challenges raised is the issue of providing specialized cadres within schools, and the financial burden this may represent for educational institutions.

But this proposal opens the door to searching for alternative solutions that balance quality and cost. Shaima Dahb suggests training teachers and social workers within schools to provide this type of awareness, rather than relying entirely on external specialists. She believes that this approach not only reduces costs but also enhances the child's trust in his/her teachers and encourages him/her to turn to them if exposed to any dangerous situation.

It is worth noting that the issue of protecting children from harassment reveals an urgent need to reconsider prevention tools, away from merely reacting. While the debate over sex education continues, indicators are increasing about its importance as a means to protect children and empower them to understand what they face.

These discussions affirm that the challenge lies not only in introducing new concepts into the curriculum but in changing society's view of them and building a collective awareness that recognizes that knowledge, when presented correctly, can be the first line of defense to protect children, not a threat to society's values.