The Chilean communities of Arica-Parinacota work towards a better in-classroom response on sexual education and HIV prevention issues

Addressing sexuality education and HIV prevention in the classroom, in the regional context of Arica and Parinacota (northern Chile), was the main objective of the seminar-workshop "sexuality education and HIV prevention: challenges and proposals for the approach in the classroom", held on September 7 in Arica.

On September 14, 2012 the regional program of sexuality education by the Regional Council (CORE) in this area of northern Chile will be put to a vote.

In the activity, fifty counselors who work in educational establishments of Arica were present, along with Maria Mercedes Guzman, Ministerial Regional Secretariat (SEREMI) of Education in Arica and Parinacota, Jorge Chinga and Gisella Domarchi of the Guiding College of Arica, Victoria Valenzuela of UNESCO Santiago, and Mauro Eyzaguirre, professor and director of the Department of the Education in the Fundación Iguales.

The occasion was a space for reflection, debate and exchange on key proposals and challenges in this area. The main approaches developed in sexuality education were reviewed, along with the profile of the teacher in charge of addressing the issue in the classroom the region of Arica and Parinacota. Also, the group addressed the legal and regulatory framework that is part of school life in Chile and conducted a group work reflection. During the activity, the texts "Teaching and Learning Transversal Fundamental Objectives in the Classroom" from authors Fernando Gutierrez and Graciela White River Gallizia were distributed, who along with the National Association of Writers donated 80 copies a series of three volumes.

Prevention integrally act

The region of Arica and Parinacota is the most affected by HIV and AIDS in Chile. This situation has motivated technical cooperation from the United Nations System in Chile since 2008. In 2010, the Government of Arica and Parinacota sought support from the Joint UN Team on HIV to the development of a regional policy on the issue.

Comprehensive sexuality education from an early age developed in educational establishments can prevent sexual abuse, teen pregnancy prevention, domestic violence, bullying (including homophobic bullying) and contributes to the prevention of HIV, AIDS and other sexual transmission infections. Also, it allows people to enjoy a higher level of welfare in their sexuality. To accomplish this, it is essential to work together between the education and health sectors, as noted by the Ministerial Declaration "Preventing through Education" (2008).

In this framework, the education sector requested UNESCO technical cooperation to strengthen the response from a holistic viewpoint. The year 2011 was the Regional Technical Committee on Sexuality Education and in 2012 was presented a regional program of sexuality education at the National Regional Development Fund, which was approved technically and will be voted in the Council Regional (CORE) on September 14. In this context, the College of Counsellors of Arica requested UNESCO and the Education SEREMI to conduct an update on pedagogical approaches and tools that facilitate the classroom issues of sexuality education and HIV prevention.

"The activity carried out by the SEREMI of Education and the College of Counsellors of Arica is part of a long-term process. Through funding from the National Regional Development Fund, we expect to design the program for the first half of 2013, to begin its implementation during the second half of next year. The program will be implemented from the first year of primary school until the fourth year middle", said Mary Guinn Delaney, Regional HIV/AIDS Specialist of OREALC/UNESCO Santiago.

• 13-09-2012