Self-aware sex education: a theoretical and practical approach in Venezuela

Even a few decades ago, it was considered normal and even desirable in Latin America for young women to become pregnant before they were 20--provided they were married; while young men were expected to become sexually active as soon as they entered adolescence, without much concern about potential risks or with whom they did so--as long as it was a woman. This view is now changing. There seems to be a general consensus that 'education' is necessary to prevent adolescent pregnancy, abortion, STI/HIV and sexual abuse. Attempts to reach agreement as to what kind of education and where, and how and when to provide it often fail, however, because of the conflicting views of sexuality upon which they are based. This article discusses conflicting concepts of sexuality and describes the theory of critical pedagogy followed by AVESA, a Venezuelan NGO whose work focuses on sexuality, problems of sexuality and alternative sex education. It describes AVESA's practical experience in training youth promoters and running on ongoing youth education programme in sexual and reproductive health. AVESA advocates an educational alternative that builds self-awareness and a critical understanding of social reality. We encourage individuals to engage with their own history and circumstances in order to be able to experience their sexuality in a full, responsible, pleasurable and just manner.